The Struggle for Reconciliation: Trauma and Memory in Abdulrazak Gurnah’s By the Sea

Abdulrazak Gurnah, a Tanzanian-British Nobel Laureate, is a celebrated name in modern literature. His sixth novel, By the Sea (2001), delves into the aftermaths of migration and displacement, particularly highlighting the impact of imperialism on native culture and identity. In the novel, Gurnah explores the complex interplay between trauma and memory in the context of migration and displacement. The novel's central characters, Omer and Latif, are both marked by experiences of trauma, and their struggles to reconcile these experiences with their present lives are a major theme of the work.At the heart of the novel's exploration of trauma and memory is the idea that memory is a site of ongoing struggle and negotiation. Both Omer and Latif are haunted by memories of their past, which exert a powerful influence on their present lives. For Omer, memories of his childhood in Zanzibar are deeply intertwined with the trauma of his father's death, while for Latif, memories of his time in prison are a constant source of anguish.Gurnah's novel suggests that acculturation is inherently traumatic, as it involves a rupture with one's past and the need to forge a new identity in a foreign land. However, the novel also suggests that memory can be a powerful tool for healing and reconciliation. By revisiting the past and confronting their traumas head-on, both Omer and Latif can find a measure of peace and acceptance. Through an analysis of the novel's characters and their struggles with memory and trauma, this research paper explores how trauma and memory impact the experiences of migrants and refugees, and how cultural sensitivity and awareness can inform trauma healing practices.