Exploring The Complexities of Traumatic Experiences of Transgenders in Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

Abstract

This paper delves into the detailed portrayal of traumatic experiences among transgenders in Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Employing a qualitative analysis approach, the study examines the various dimensions of trauma by shedding light on the psychological, emotional, and physical distress faced by the central character, Anjum, a transgender woman. Trauma was an enduring emotional reaction frequently triggered by a distressing incident. Going through such an event can damage one's feeling of security, self-perception, and capacity to manage emotions and interpersonal connections. According to the lay perspective, “the trauma experience occurs when the traumatizing event interacts with human nature. Human beings need security, order, love, and connection. If something happens that sharply undermines these needs, it hardly seems surprising, according to the lay theory, that people will be traumatized as a result” (Alexander 2012). Through the mechanism of theoretical framework of trauma theory, the analysis uncovers Anjum’s trauma caused by gender identity, societal norms, and the quest for self-acceptance and replicates Anjum’s recovery from her traumatic experiences and her help for other suffocating humanity. Finally, with the leading character Anjum, the study states that humanity is an adequate source of survival, whereas the existing social norms on gender identity are social construction.