Abstract

Based on the theory of comparative literature and the theory psychological trauma suggested by of C. Caruth and A. Gotlib, we have compared psychological trauma in The Sorrows of War (by Bao Ninh) and Paco’s Story (by L. Heinemann). These are two works th Psychological Trauma, comparative literature, The Sorrows of War.at portrayed the image of soldiers during the Vietnam War (1954 – 1975). They all had terrible experiences during the war and all had psychological trauma after the war. These psychological traumas were manifested in the nightmares they had each day, in the sudden shivers, or in the feeling of being lost when they returned to normal life. When Paco (in Paco’s Story) tried to escape the pain, Kien (in The Sorrow of War) accepted to face it. For him, writing was like a way to get rid of psychological distresses and heal himself. Moreover, while in Paco’s Story, there is no psychological trauma of the community, in The Sorrow of War, this is presented very clearly. It has shown the tragedy not of an individual but of an entire ethnic community when the storm of war swept over. Our research, therefore, is an anti-war voice, with a deep appreciation for the value of life and peace

Keywords

Psychological Trauma, comparative literature, The Sorrows of War