An Exploration of a Journey Towards Self-Liberation through Trauma in The Promise by Damon Galgut

Abstract

Trauma often survives long after the event that caused it, shaping memory, identity, and human relationships in ways that are neither immediate nor easily resolved. Damon Galgut’s The Promise presents this enduring psychological reality through the fragmented lives of the Swart family, where recurring deaths become catalysts for guilt, repression, and emotional disintegration. This study investigates the traumatic experiences of the novel's major characters, examines the defense mechanisms they employ to cope with psychological distress, and explores their gradual journeys toward self-liberation. Adopting a qualitative research design and a psychological approach, the study undertakes a close textual analysis of the experiences of Amor, Astrid, and Anton. The findings reveal that repeated encounters with death generate unresolved psychological wounds that continue to influence the siblings' thoughts, emotions, and relationships long after the traumatic events have passed. While each character adopts distinct defense mechanisms— including repression, denial, escapism, and guilt-driven self-deception—these strategies offer only temporary relief, leaving them trapped in recurring cycles of emotional suffering. Ultimately, the novel demonstrates that healing is neither linear nor complete; rather, it is a continuous struggle between remembering and forgetting, confronting and avoiding the past. By illuminating the enduring effects of trauma on individual identity and family dynamics, this study positions The Promise as a profound exploration of psychological resilience, memory, and the complexities of human healing.