Yousef Al-Mohaimeed’s Wolves of the Crescent Moon: Trauma voices of the marginalized

Abstract

This study examines how Yousef Al-Mohaimeed’s Wolves of the Crescent Moon (2007) portrays the psychological and social impact of trauma on marginalized individuals. It explores the broader societal structures that perpetuate marginalization and investigates the transformative effects of trauma on individual and collective identities. Using Cathy Caruth’s trauma theory, it allows us to explore how it represents the psychological impacts of social marginalization and trauma on its characters’ identities. The study analyzes the interconnected stories of three marginalized characters, Turad, Tawfiq, and Nasser, each struggling with profound trauma and social exclusion. While there is a significant amount of research on trauma in general, there is a lack of studies focusing on how trauma specifically impacts characters who face societal exclusion. Through close analysis, The study reveals how societal judgments, rooted in factors such as foundling status, disability, race, and ethnicity, dehumanize these individuals, rendering them invisible and abnormal. These judgments not only shape their societal roles but also lead to internalized trauma and diminished self-worth. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the enduring psychological effects of social exclusion and raises awareness of the pervasive cruelty of marginalization.