Healing through Tales:

Abstract

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.