Motherhood and Trauma: The Impact of Gendered Violence on Family Dynamics in Louise Erdrich’s The Round House

Louise Erdrich’s The Round House presents a powerful narrative of how gendered violence specifically the brutal assault of Geraldine Coutts ripples through an entire family, impacting relationships, emotional stability, and identity. This novel offers a poignant examination of motherhood in the context of trauma, exposing the long-lasting effects of sexual violence not just on the victim, but also on her family. By intertwining the personal and cultural dimensions of Native American life, Erdrich explores how trauma reshapes family dynamics, highlighting the intersections of gender, violence, and legal injustice. This research article examines the representation of motherhood and trauma in the novel The Round House by Louise Erdrich and the ways in which gendered violence disrupts and redefines family structures and relationships. It explores how the novel positions motherhood within the framework of trauma, particularly how a mother’s trauma affects her ability to nurture and connect with her child. This paper also analyzes how Erdrich uses the theme of trauma to challenge conventional representations of motherhood. By highlighting the intersection of personal trauma and systemic injustice, the article emphasizes the ongoing struggles faced by Native women and their families in navigating a world where violence and legal inadequacies perpetuate cycles of pain and suffering.

Keywords: Motherhood, Gendered Violence, Trauma, Native American, Injustice