Studying the effects of physical or emotional trauma on the human psyche is a field in clinical psychology that has expanded significantly throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In literary theory, trauma theory is the study of how trauma is portrayed in literary works. Literary trauma theory uses the psychology of trauma as an interpretative tool for deeper understanding of characters, situations, and socio-cultural elements portrayed in fiction and poetry.

Trauma is generally defined as the emotional response to an overwhelming experience that the subject feels is “seriously harmful or life-threatening” (“Trauma.” Psychology Today). The resulting emotions can be immediate and can also have long-lasting effects. Trauma can be compounded if the initial traumatic event is repeated or if the person experiences multiple traumas without processing and healing from the initial event. Some examples of traumatic events include firsthand experience of war, being the survivor of or witnessing a violent crime, sudden loss of a loved one, a natural disaster, or a serious car accident. However, any event can trigger a trauma depending on a person’s reaction to an event. Typically, a person suffering from trauma has difficulty with concentration and memory and can experience flashbacks triggered by unexpected stimuli that interfere with everyday activities.