Estha Trauma

Estha has very traumatizing events during his early childhood, which shape all of his decisions for the rest of his life. Estha has different forms of trauma during his childhood, being abused by the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man, as well as many smaller occasions, such as the death of Sophie Mol. The “post-trauma” feelings inflicted upon Estha build up to his breaking point, in which he shuts out the world, withdraws from reality, and goes completely mute. Estha experiences trauma, inflicted upon him by family members. Baby Kochamma puts Estha and Rahel in a situation, to where they have to lie about Velutha, to save themselves and their mother. Estha feels guilty about this, which is evident as he remembers incriminating Velutha. “The memory of a swollen face and a smashed, upside-down smile,” lingers in Estha’s thoughts, as he knows that he caused this pain to be brought upon an innocent man (Roy 102). Velutha “fixed [his] gaze on him. Estha. And what had Estha done? He looked into that beloved face and said: Yes” (Roy 102). By saying yes,

These feelings of guilt are very traumatizing and have many lasting effects, especially for young children. Because the feelings of guilt, from his lie about Velutha and his interaction with the Orangedrink Lemondrink man, remains present in Estha’s life, it creates a mental health disorder known as neurosis. Guilt causes neurosis, as it eats at Estha every day, until his mental state is so far gone, that he withdraws, and chooses not to function by going mute, because he cannot handle the effects of the guilt that he feels. These feelings build up, until one reaches a breaking point, and decides to withdraw from society. While Estha’s main point of trauma is being molested by the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man, there are also many smaller traumas that occur throughout his