Mapping Memory and Trauma in Atiq Rahimi’s Earth and Ashes

This study employs the theoretical foundations of the psychological trauma theory to reflect on the flashbacks of Afghan trauma survivors, shown in the chosen Afghan Anglophone literature, in the same way as non-literary narratives of PTSD patients convey and contribute to history and memory. This study aims to determine how much these characters’ terrible recollections shown in flashbacks actually add to the commonly cited historical facts. The research draws on the work of Caruth, Herman, Tal, and LaCapra to analyse the chosen literary text and discover how Afghans cope with the horrific memories of war that they experienced during the Soviet invasion of their nation in the 1980s. This trauma study of Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi (2002) demonstrates how studies of traumatic memories evoked in fictional representations of traumatised characters may supplement official accounts of the traumatic event itself. In order to fully understand a traumatic incident and the associated memories, the study indicates that linked literary works may be examined alongside factual historical sources.