When Judith Herman's Theory Cannot Heal Omar's Trauma

This study examines Hany Abu-Assad’s film Omar (2013), focusing on the forms of recovery from trauma experienced by the character Omar. Drawing on Judith Herman’s (1992) theory of trauma and recovery, it investigates how Omar recovers from the trauma he experiences. Trauma is understood here as the lasting impact of an event, resembling an invisible wound that influences a character’s attitudes and actions. The data consist of images and dialogue indicating trauma recovery and are analyzed using a descriptive qualitative method. Omar’s recovery is described and interpreted in relation to Herman’s theoretical framework. The findings show that the forms of recovery vary according to the type of trauma Omar experiences. In the case of single trauma, his recovery can be explained through the stages described in Herman’s framework. In the case of prolonged trauma, however, his experience exceeds the scope of these stages, ultimately leading him to fight to the bitter end. These findings highlight the influence of the social, cultural, and political contexts in which the character is situated on his experiences of trauma and recovery. The study therefore suggests that Herman’s framework can explain certain aspects of Omar’s recovery but has limitations in accounting for his response to prolonged trauma.