The trauma of people’s lives indicates that their suffering is un-presentable and immeasurable. Traumatic experiences limits language, psych, mentality, physical energy, power to communicate and much more.
Freud’s theories on traumatic experience and memory define the psychological concepts that helps in identifying the psychoanalytical theories.
Forter argues that “the ‘un-presentable’ character of trauma is thus due not to its being ‘originary’ and hence, beyond history and representation. Rather, it has to do with the enforced rupture with precolonial pasts and the prohibitions against remembrance enforced by particular regimes of power”.
Acceptance is the answer to all the problems. Welcoming the traumas and the struggles will only lead to moving on from past.
In the poem “The Guest House” by Rumi has explained the beauty of human life. He describes humans as a guest house. He expounds on the fact that human has to live with “whoever comes his way”. It includes all the happiness, sorrow, traumas, joy, depression that comes in one’s life.
He calls these emotions and sentiments the unexpected visitors of human life. This poem builds the confidence to meet and face all the hardships and traumas with warmth.
Imagery and Setting:
The imagery of the poem is very powerful. A lot of compelling metaphors are used such as comparing a human to a guest house. This however can mean two things:
1)The human being is temporary in this life and living as a guest in this world.
2)It is a metaphor that explains the emotions of our happiness and trauma and the advice to welcome these whole heartedly.
Nature of Trauma:
The Guest House helps in recognizing calmness and clarity. It opposes the idea of trauma and asserts the reality of life that is to end our suffering on our own with mindfulness.
