Orchestrating a Palestinian Holocaust: Navigating Trauma and Healing through Subversive Storytelling in Gaza Writes Back

Abstract

This paper explores the psychoanalytic dimensions of Gaza Writes Back through Dominick LaCapra's concepts of "acting out" and "working through," focusing on themes of trauma, memory, and resistance. "Acting out" refers to the compulsive repetition of traumatic experiences, trapping individuals in cycles of psychological suffering. In contrast, "working through" involves confronting and processing these experiences, allowing for mourning and potential healing. Applying these concepts to Gaza Writes Back, the paper examines the role of personal and collective trauma in shaping the psychological landscape of Gazans, with literature serving as a powerful tool for resistance and recovery. While "acting out" illustrates the re-living of past horrors, storytelling as a form of "working through" enables introspection and the navigation of grief. This paper highlights the capacity of literature to amplify marginalized Gazan voices, foster resilience, and offer a path toward healing in the face of the enduring impacts of war.