Re- Visiting the Past: Trauma and Memory in Stanely Kunitz’ Selected Poems

Abstract

The research investigates the traumatic triggers in the poetry of Stanely Kunitz who in spite of his creativity received little attention. His father`s suicide shortly before his birth left a scare in his childhood and makes his poetry fertile arena for investigation of trauma since his poetry is rich with anger, insecurity, need, depression and flashbacks. The suicide left deep impact on his soul. His attempt to face this wound failed due to his mother`s attempts to deaden any memory of the bygone father and cut the link that may bridge the damage in his soul. This creates a crack in Kunitz `s molding of character. As such, his return to his roots is traced in this research depending on the illumination of theory of trauma through exploring the symptoms and experiences of trauma in selected poems. Manifestations of traumatic aspects are apparent in Kunitz poetry which lie hidden in his consciousness to reappear clearly in his maturity . The uniqueness with Kunitz is his indulgence in trauma and his employment of a perfect way of recovery by re-visiting the roots of his pain.