Edwin's Trauma In The Best We Could Do

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Pean 1 Chelsea Pean Elliott Brown The Graphic Novel May 7th, 2024 With Family, Nothing is Impossible: Understanding And Forgiving Parents for Their Traumatic Past A traumatic event is a common thing in one’s life that can affect them psychologically and emotionally. However, some choose to bury their trauma as a defensive mechanism that protects them from emotional pain. This applies to the characters in The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui and 7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga by David Robertson. First, Thi’s and Edwin’s parents experienced trauma during their childhood. Second, both texts include characters trying to understand trauma’s influence on someone. Third, this attempt to understand another’s trauma leads to a healing experience. These …show more content…

Pean 4 decides to live by understanding his people’s trauma, inspiring him to confront his fears. Therefore, these texts illustrate how understanding one’s trauma and acknowledging the individual’s perspective provides a deeper empathy within relationships, establishing a way of healing. Finally, Thi Bui and Edwin’s attempt to understand another’s trauma leads to a healing experience. Thi Bui feels closer to her parents once she knows and understands their history. For example, she feels like she is carrying the legacy of their past, confessing: “That being my father’s child, I, too, was a product of war. and being my mother’s child, could never measure up to her.” (Bui 325). However, being aware of her parents' sacrifices, trauma and struggles, her perspective transforms. She comes to terms with the weight of their history by stating: “I will always feel the weight of their past.” (Bui 325). This acknowledgment of Má and Bô’s past not only brings healing, but also allows her to see freedom in her son, granting her a new peace. As for Edwin, he feels like he can work towards healing himself once he sees what his dad and his people have gone …show more content…

[...] I want you to have this [...] so you can heal [...] because I forgive you.” (Robertson 127). Initially, this act of forgiveness is a result of the courage he gains from the stories of his people, teaching him a valuable lesson: perseverance. As a result, the main characters come to understand their family’s experiences, sacrifices and hardships, strengthening their relationships and helping in their healing. Pean 5 Overall, The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui and 7 Generations by David A. Robertson and Scott B. Henderson shows that understanding the trauma of a loved one creates the path to developing closer relationships and personal healing. Both sets of characters, the parents, and their children, deal with trauma but choose to bury it as a defensive mechanism. However, through their determination to understand these painful stories, both Thi Bui and Edwin managed to produce a profound bond with their parents. As a result, this attempt to understand another’s trauma facilitates personal growth, but also opens the door to forgiveness and healing. These texts powerfully demonstrate that comprehending another’s past is key to building strong and healing

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