Work

Reclaiming the self through nature: Trauma and female subjectivity in Cheryl Strayed's wild

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In literature, women are often depicted as passive characters hence, feminist discourse seeks to challenge this perception and liberate women from such passive representations. Under specific circumstances, certain female characters are shown as weak and hence susceptible to various psychological afflictions, including trauma. Nonetheless, these experiences do not inherently undermine women's power or make them subservient. Sandra L. Bloom's Psychological Trauma Theory (1999) elucidates the responses of the mind and body to traumatic experiences, emphasizing the body's diverse reactions. The paper examines Cheryl Strayed’s protagonist in Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail (2012), focusing on her struggle with traumatic experiences, which she harnesses as a source of strength to confront the challenges she faces on her journey of self-discovery. The analysis reveals that the protagonist turns to the natural environment as a refuge, perceiving it as a ‘sanctuary’ that facilitates her healing and allows her to relinquish traumatic memories, thereby fostering her autonomous identity.

Source: Social Sciences & Humanities Open

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.102524

Author: Omar Mohammed Abdullah

Institution: University of Anbar

Language: English

Topic: Memory, History, Trauma, Identity

Subfield: Philosophy

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Gender equality

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,180