Psychology of trauma and resilience in “The Nickel Boys”: A historical perspective

This paper explores the depiction of trauma in Colson Whitehead’s “The Nickel Boys”, analyzing the experiences of its characters through the lens of trauma theory, particularly the works of Judith Herman and Cathy Caruth. Set against the historical backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement and the systemic racism of the 1960s, the novel highlights the physical and psychological abuse suffered by African American boys at the fictional Nickel Academy, based on the real-life Dozier School for Boys. By examining the characters’ journeys through Herman’s stages of trauma recovery and Caruth’s concept of belated trauma, the paper delves into the enduring impact of systemic violence on individual and collective memory. Critical responses to the novel underscore its powerful portrayal of historical and psychological trauma, positioning “The Nickel Boys” as a significant contribution to the discourse on racial injustice and resilience.