Transgenerational Trauma In 'I Am Dark, I Am Forest'

By the early 1980’s, women gained huge ground in politics and the transformation of respect in the workforce grew upwards. Bachelor's degrees were awarded to women from the National Center for Education Statistics and Sandra Day O’Connor became the first woman nominated to the Supreme Court. Reflecting her own critiques of the roles that have been placed on women over time, Angela Carter’s short story, The Company of Wolves reflects Little Red Riding Hood finding the beast within herself. The young girl sets off into a wolf-filled forest, meeting a “very handsome young”(Carter 8) hunter that can transform into a wolf. Carter describes the young girl as an “unbroken egg” and a “sealed vessel”, presenting the description of her sexual innocence

Trans-generational trauma relates to the psychological and physiological effects that the trauma experienced by people has on multiple generations; domestic violence, rape, murder, drug abuse. Women’s rates of post-traumatic stress disorder are noted to be twice as high as men’s, more likely to be because of sexual experiences, and have symptoms that last four times as long. Within her story, Givhan expresses the “scars” and “wounds through the womb” that were inevitably left for her to carry for the rest of her life. The effects of trauma and past family hardships, considering abuse and health issues, haunted her own innocence way beyond the birth of herself. Givhan outlines the lack of control, explaining that “[she] wore no red” and “bore no basket”, magnifying the indispensable baggage attached to her forever, opposing the original Little Red Riding Hood text. As she is creating her own nightmare with the “darkness” (Givhan 13) inside her stomach, she immediately “[slices] it out” (Givhan 13). Givan reveals the killing of her own baby, as it is a constant reminder of the undying light of her family's communal trauma. Givhan illustrates the end of darkness, saving another child from the weights of damages dragged behind her, and attempting

Through these texts it is evident to discern the decline of patriarchal norms that were originally embedded into society. Modern women eliminated the virtuous roles so deeply enforced, and have become aware of the abuse and victimization that roots from innocence. As females emerged from the happy homemaker ideal to breaking the set rules in education, workplaces, and expansion of rights, males accepted the female role that can provide more than just house life stability. As younger generations become exposed to more veracious knowledge behind the equality between women and men, humanity will thrive with respect and identification skills. The different tales of a young girl solely being manipulated behind the flesh of her innocence can be abandoned. The reflection of new societal norms are implicated and no coat is needed to hide behind anything or