MEMORIES AND TRAUMA IN EMMANUEL IDUMA'S I AM STILL WITH YOU AND CHRIS ABANI'S SONG FOR NIGHT

This research explores the representation of memories and trauma in Emmanuel Iduma's I am Still with You and Chris Abani's Song for Night. This research note that memories and trauma play a crucial role in shaping perceptions and experiences in literature. They provide a profound understanding of character motivations, influences, and human complexities. Through exploration of memories and trauma, authors can create emotionally resonant narratives that foster empathy, spark discussions on social issues, and challenge readers' perceptions. Additionally, the research delves into the exploration of collective memory and historical trauma, emphasizing the lasting legacy of past atrocities. The research uses qualitative research methodology. The two text adopted for this research serve as the primary source of data collection while other journals and related texts are employed for a wider view on the study. The research deploys Postcolonial Trauma as the theoretical framework to analyse how memories and trauma contribute to character development, psychological effects, and the overall narrative structure of the novels. The findings reveal that memories and trauma play pivotal roles in shaping the characters' identities, influencing their emotions and behaviors, and contributing to the complex narrative structures of both novels. The study also highlights Emmanuel Iduma's I am Still with You and Chris Abani's Song for Night emphasis on storytelling as a means of preserving memory, honoring the past, and fostering healing. This research concludes that memories and trauma serve as powerful literary devices for exploring individual and collective experiences of trauma, identity formation, and the search for healing and reconciliation in post-colonial contexts.