Child Narration and Trauma in Ahmadou Kourouma’s Allah is Not Obliged and Uzodinma Iweala’s Beasts of No Nation

Abstract

This study examines child narration and trauma in Ahmadou Kourouma’s Allah is Not Obliged (AINO) and Uzodinma Iweala’s Beasts of No Nation (BONN). Through the voice of innocence, child narrators serve as powerful literary devices for confronting harsh social realities, while their traumatic experiences, shaped by violence and exploitation, offer a deep exploration of psychological distress. The perceived innocence and vulnerability of children grant them a unique narrative authority, allowing them to expose controversial truths with a degree of immunity. Using trauma theory as an offshoot of psychoanalytic theory, this study draws on the insights of Cathy Caruth and Judith Herman. Caruth’s perspective emphasizes the complex, elusive, and delayed nature of trauma, while Herman highlights the process of healing. The analysis reveals that the child protagonists in both novels endure extreme psychological and physical abuse at the hands of their superiors, making them both victims and witnesses to violence. Their narratives not only reflect personal suffering but also serve as mechanisms for emotional catharsis and societal critique. This research contributes to the broader discourse on child narration and trauma theory, offering fresh critical perspectives on how literature portrays the psychological effects of war and abuse. It underscores the effectiveness of child narration in exposing uncomfortable societal truths and advocates its continued use as a literary tool for social commentary.