Résumé:
This study investigates the interaction between childhood trauma and storytelling as a
therapeutic tool in Patrick Ness’s A Monster Calls (2011). The plot follows the journey of Conor
O’Malley, a 13-years-old boy struggling with the emotional complexities caused by his
mother’s terminal illness. The current study draws on trauma theory and narrative therapy to
examine Conor’s traumatic experience and his journey towards healing. Patrick Ness introduces
storytelling as a healing method through a fantastical creature, the monster, who narrates tales
to Conor that guide him to understand his enigma. This work aims to explore Conor’s trauma
and the influence of the monster’s tales on his healing process. Furthermore, it analyses the
mechanisms of narrative therapy in curing personal wounds and fostering Conor’s
psychological growth. Ness shifts the monster’s image from nightmarish to a source of support
so that by the end of the novel Conor is able to accept the loss of his mother. Through the case
study of Patrick Ness, the dissertation sheds light on the significance of introducing heavy
topics, such as trauma, loss, and grief, in children’s literature. It also highlights the assistance
of storytelling in processing difficult experiences and helping children overcome their
emotional struggles and find hope in the midst of agony.
