OTHERNESS AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN STEPHEN CHBOSKY'S THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER AND BARRY LYGA'S BOY TOY

This study investigates how otherness and sexual abuse shape the identities, behaviours, and social interactions of adolescent characters in contemporary young adult literature. This study deploys a qualitative research methodology. This research adopts Cathy Caruth's trauma theory to explore themes of otherness and sexual abuse. This work set out to analyse how otherness and sexual abuse are depicted, and to examine the psychological impact of trauma as portrayed in Chybosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Lyga’s Boy Toy. This study seeks to critically analyse how both novels represent the complexities of otherness and sexual abuse, and the ways these narratives contribute to or challenge societal attitudes towards marginalised identities and survivors of abuse. Based on the analyses of the data collected, this work finds out that otherness and sexual abuse shape the identities, behaviours, and social interactions of adolescent characters in contemporary literature, by creating distance in social relationships and psychological development. The research promotes a deeper understanding on the impact of child sexual abuse, advocating for social justice and encouraging critical discussions among young readers.