The Break By Katherena Vermette: Portrayal Of Trauma

Trauma encompasses distressing events that persistently shape and affect one's life, exerting profound influence on their actions and decisions. While not all painful events are categorized as trauma, once they are perceived as such, they have the potential to persist and inflict enduring wounds that resist healing within the mind. “There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” - Laurell K. Hamilton. In The Break by Katherena Vermette, the portrayal of trauma showcases its profound impact on individuals, fostering introspection and affecting both the self and those in close proximity. Furthermore, the narrative highlights how trauma profoundly affects individuals, causing negative

Pain lingers as an individual heals, Emily, and she is left torn as she is unable to stop the scars from spreading further. Emily finds herself trapped in a distressing situation where prolonged isolation allows the trauma to intensify, leading to worsening mental health and a deeper state of suffering. ”Going home is like another After, one that is even further away than before” (Vermette 311). Emily was found in a tough situation which led her to be driven towards emotional and physical trauma. The trauma affects her mentally as she is led to believe her life is set off to a before and after, she regrets the leading situations to her trauma and does not stop thinking about how different her life could have been if she had just stayed home and obeyed her mother. Emily is filled with guilt and regret as her actions of disobeyment towards her mother had led her to substantial consequences that she will hold onto for the rest of her life. In conclusion, Emily is hurt with her own consequences and is now left helpless with her own thoughts and pain, although now she continuously grows as she is aware of the impacts of her decisions which allows her to gain lessons in a new

”’Your daughter has several glass particles in her vaginal wall. They were small particles so we suspect the bleeding was consistent for some time before the hemorrhaging” [...] “The police should be here right away. They will need a statement and some information from you’” (Vermette 97). Emily’s mother, although not directly involved, feels at fault towards the situation and creates anxious feelings towards trust and creates her own set of trauma towards the situation. However, the impact of the trauma reaches beyond Paulina alone. Stella, who shares a further connection to Emily, experiences a profound sense of guilt as she was affected towards this situation as well, “‘I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry. I hurt everyday and I am so sorry’” (Vermette 267). Stella’s anxious thoughts arise as she wrestles with a sense of personal responsibility for the situation as feels she could have intervened and prevented the situation further than with the police alone. Stella's increased worry pervades her being, as the realization that she made the wrong decision, despite it being the best option at the time for her own protection, heightens her guilt. As a result, Emily's trauma has a far-reaching impact on others, demonstrating its domineering implications. In conclusion, although the family was distant during the physical events of the situation they still took on