Analysis Of Under The Persimmon Tree By Suzanne Staples

(AGG) When picturing war, the large majority of people will always imagine pain, suffering, and loss. (BS-1) War is understandably viewed in a largely negative light, one reason being its tendency to cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a disorder that is hard to cope with. (BS-2) However, some good can come out of a dreadful situation, including the improved trust among those who have gone through tragedy together. (BS-3) After wartime has ended, many can even experience a curious sense of knowledge about what they aim to do with their future. (TS) In the novel Under The Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Fisher Staples, the author is sending the message that the events of war impact people by giving them difficult issues to work through that eventually

(SIP-A) Firstly, this disorder and its influence is seen in Najmah. (STEWE-1) For some background, PTSD is known for many effects, but one of the most infamous ones is the flashbacks. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has “been described as being in a horror film that keeps replaying... It is common for people with PTSD to feel intense fear and helplessness, and to relive the frightening event in nightmares or in their waking hours. Sometimes the memory is triggered by a sound, smell, or image that reminds the individual of the traumatic event" (Frey and Atkins). Those with PTSD have a difficult time moving on without external assistance, as they have trouble dealing with something that is happening inside their own head. On multiple occasions, Najmah has physically reacted to reminders of the horrible things she has seen. (STEWE-2) Najmah exemplifies this sort of medical flashback towards the end of the book, when she goes outside while Nusrat is watching the stars. Nusrat is dealing with her own sadness over the death of Faiz by observing once more the beauty that she once enjoyed with him. Najmah’s brain connects the meteor shower that she sees in the sky to