The Unconsoled: The Modern Rogue Trapped in Traumas

Abstract

Ryder, the protagonist in the novel, suffers many traumatic experiences during his childhood. Though these traumas shadow his life, he doesn’t narrate them directly in the novel. Instead, he unfolds his own experiences through others’ traumatic stories: traumas in Boris’ childhood, in Stephen’s youth, and in Brodsky’s middle-age. Besides, in his adulthood, Ryder reperforms his experienced traumas upon his son Boris and his wife Sophie, which leads to tragedies to both himself and his family. Through his narration, he unconsciously uncovers his own traumatic pain that deprives him of controlling his life. Like the rogue in modern society, he can neither find any consolation from others nor give any consolation to others. To some extent, what Ryder experiences reflects the existing conditions of the unconsoled people in the west in 20^th century with endless helplessness and loneliness.