Mapping Pain: Domestic Violence and Intergenerational Trauma in Anuradha Roy’s An Atlas of Impossible Longing

Abstract

This article explores the nexus between domestic violence and psychological trauma in Anuradha Roy’s An Atlas of Impossible Longing (2008). Set against the backdrop of an evolving Indian society, the novel examines how trauma operates within domestic spaces and across generations. Drawing on trauma theory, particularly Cathy Caruth’s work on the unassimilated nature of traumatic events and Judith Herman’s insights into interpersonal violence, the article investigates how domestic violence fragments identities and disrupts familial bonds. Through Roy’s evocative portrayal of characters like Kananbala and Mukunda, the novel critiques patriarchal structures and highlights the cyclical nature of trauma. This analysis ultimately demonstrates Roy’s profound engagement with the themes of suffering, resilience, and the possibility of healing amidst intergenerational strife.