The Role of the Fantastic Elements as a Means of Healing in Atkinson’s When Will There Be Good News? and Ümit’s the Dervish Gate

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between the fantastic and trauma in the detective novels of Kate Atkinson and Ahmet Ümit within the theory of Comparative Literature. Based on Cathy Carruth’s Trauma Theory, the paper aims to explore how Atkinson and Ümit employ fantastic elements such as ghosts and time-traveling in their detective novels to unmask the traumatic events rooted in the memories of the patriarchal cultures where they have been living. It is suggested that both Atkinson and Ümit lead the reader to discover the silenced narratives of marginalized people such as women, children, and men that do not belong to the male dominant ruling class in their societies by creating a fictional world where the ghosts help the characters to detect their personal and cultural wounds stemming from male-dominated social environments. Thereby, the writers offer some healing to the marginalized people by giving them a voice and also contribute to creating integrity and union within their societies.

Keywords

• Fantastic
• Trauma studies
• Detective fiction
• Ghosts
• Patriarchal Cultures
• Healing

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