Unveiling Neurosis: Anne Sexton and W.H. Auden’s Poetic Response to Trauma in Holocaust Literature

Book Title: Contemporary Research Across Disciplines

Editors:  Dr. R. Saravana Selvakumar and Mr. R. Venkatesan

ISBN:  978-81-978738-1-2

Chapter: 19

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/crc19/278

Author: Ms. J. Subaranjani, Assistant Professor, Department of English, G. Venkataswamy Naidu College (Autonomous), Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This paper explores the multifaceted role of literature in depicting the challenges and struggles individuals face alongside the profound impact of historical events such as World War II. Examining existing literature on stress, the study investigates the complex relationship between stress and psychosocial factors, including its effects on performance, mental well-being, and social support. The research delves into the atrocities of World War II, particularly the Holocaust, shedding light on the systematic genocide of European Jews and the broader socio-political ideologies of the era. Furthermore, the study explores the dimension of neuroticism in personality traits, manifestations, and implications for mental health. It discusses the adaptive and maladaptive aspects of neuroticism, as well as its association with anxiety and depression. The paper also analyses the poetic works of Anne Sexton and W.H. Auden, examining how their compositions reflect societal issues, psychological struggles, and political ideologies. Through powerful expressions of indignation and condemnation, Sexton and Auden grapple with moral complexities and advocate for broader societal concerns. In conclusion, the research contends that historical events such as World War II heightened poets’ neuroses and underscored their role as social commentators, advocating for individual and societal well-being.

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