Trauma and Identity Crises in Chika Unigwe’s The Middle Daughter

This study examines trauma and identity crises in Chika Unigwe’s The Middle Daughter. The objectives of this study are to explore how psychological trauma is represented in the text, to analyse the identity crisis experienced by the protagonist, and to investigate the coping mechanisms and processes through which Nani reconstructs her sense of self. Psychoanalytic theory, drawing on Freud, Lacan, and Kristeva, provides the study's theoretical framework. Trauma theory further guides the analysis of how traumatic experiences disrupt memory, selfhood, and narrative coherence. The study shows that The Middle Daughter portrays trauma as both personal and systemic, reflecting the psychological and cultural dimensions of patriarchal and religious oppression. The research finds that Unigwe’s novel not only depicts suffering but also emphasises resilience, post-traumatic growth, and the reconstruction of selfhood within restrictive societal frameworks. By connecting personal trauma to broader social and cultural contexts, the study contributes to African feminist literary criticism and highlights storytelling as a tool for healing and empowerment.