In contemporary trauma studies, the emphasis often lies on the anxiety, subjugation, and deep psychological impact that past traumatic events imprint on individuals. Trauma itself is the mind and body’s instinctive response to experiences that feel overwhelming, painful, or threatening, shaking one’s sense of safety and leaving emotional scars that may last a lifetime. When such trauma occurs in childhood through neglect, abuse, or profound loss, the effects can be even more severe. Children who are frequently subjected to trauma often lack the awareness necessary to comprehend the larger social and individual implications of their suffering. As a result, childhood trauma tends to be internalized, gradually leading to emotional destruction and a potentially distorted future. This paper examines how childhood trauma, especially the memories of past traumatic events, can shape and disrupt an individual's life by drawing on Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. The paper investigates the formative experiences of the central characters Amir, Hassan, and Sohrab, whose lives are marked by physical and psychological trauma. The narrative reveals Amir's haunted memories of betrayal, Hassan’s exploitation, and Sohrab’s attempted suicide as manifestations of deep childhood trauma. The study will focus on the psychological aspects of these traumatic experiences on each character and how they try to cope with their pasts. It will also highlight the long-term consequences of childhood trauma and underscore the need for understanding and intervention in the emotional and psychological recovery of children affected by such experiences.
Faruki et al. (Mon,) studied this question.