Exploration of War Trauma in Modernist Literature: A Study of Ernest Hemingway’s Selected Works through the Lens of Ecological Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This study explores the representation of war trauma in modernist literature, focusing specifically on the selected works of Ernest Hemingway. War trauma, as depicted in modernist texts, reveals not only the psychological and emotional scars of conflicts but also the fragmented and often alienating experiences of soldiers returning home. This research portrays the inner turmoil and disillusionment of his characters, looking through the lens of ecological discourse analysis (EDA) into the major works of Ernest Hemingway, viz. “A Farewell to Arms and Whom the Bell Tolls.” In major findings of the study, main themes are highlighted such as isolation, post-traumatic stress, and the struggle to reintegrate into civilian life. Correspondingly, the current study provides deeper understanding into the complex relationship between war and the human psyche in modernist literature. Additionally, this paper considers the broader cultural and historical context of the post-World War I era and ecology of war by demonstrating how Hemingway’s portrayal of war trauma contributed to the evolving narrative of modernist writing.  Finally, the study recommends that future research may be conducted on the other works of Ernest Hemingway while employing the comparative analysis.