Bearing witness to trauma
Narrative structure and perspective inMurambi, the book of bones
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6030719 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Karin Samuel (Stellenbosch University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2010 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 365-377 |
| Publication date | 2010-11-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | African Identities (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1472-5843 • E-ISSN: 1472-5851 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14725843.2010.513248 |
| OpenAlex | W2023205372 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 11 |
This paper examines the representation of the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath in Boubacar Boris Diop's Murambi, the book of bones (2006). It aims in particular to explore the different ways in which the narrative devices of structure and perspective are used to convey trauma to the reader, thus enabling them to bear witness to it. This paper argues that these narrative devices are used to provide partial insight into the trauma of the genocide and/or to produce empathy or distance between readers and the victims, perpetrators and survivors of the genocide. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which the novel advances the human dimension of the genocide. This will shift both victims and perpetrators out of the domain of statistics and evoke emotional engagement from readers. The paper argues for the importance of narrative in bearing witness to trauma, particularly due to its unique ability to forge an emotional connection between reader and character
Aesthetics · Art · Empathy · Genocide · Literature · Narrative · Political science · Sociology · Visual arts · Witness · History · Law · Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts · Psychology · Social Psychology
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,17 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2020 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |