Pain and Gain: Achieving Recovery from Childhood Trauma in Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive

Abstract

When children are abused, they are traumatized at the most crucial period of their lives in which their personality is still developing. Consequently, they suffer from several problems that continue to plague them into their adulthood. On the contrary, the trauma that happens during adulthood affects the personality that is already formed (Herman,1992, p.96). This paper aims to investigate the long-term consequences of childhood abuse in Paula Vogel’s play How I Learned to Drive (1997) based on Judith Herman’s views in her book Trauma and Recovery (1992). It examines two psychological disorders proposed by Herman that the characters suffer from: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-PTSD). Additionally, it introduces the different types of abuse Li’l Bit experiences and the risk factors that make her more vulnerable to abuse. Moreover, it shows how trauma can be transferred from one generation to another. It further investigates the complicated nature of the relationship between Li’l Bit and Uncle Peck, elaborating her psychological motives behind meeting him. Finally, the paper elaborates Li’l Bit’s journey of self-discovery being the play’s protagonist and main victim of childhood trauma.