American Literature

In the course of a persons life, he or she is able to experience different trials, conflicts and issues. There are instances that the experiences of the person create huge difference in their perspectives, values, personalities and interests. Furthermore, experiences are important parts of individuals life in order develop for the better. However, there are also instances that change could create negative results. Moreover, this paper would be providing different information regarding the healing process of various persons depending on the experiences that they had. Therefore, different literatures written by Dorothy Allison such as Two to Three Things I Know for Sure as well as Skin Talking About Sex, Class And Literature are different literatures which discusses same issues with ones self. In addition to this Odysseus in America, a book written by John Shay shall also be discussed in order to attain an analysis of the different experiences of characters in the book written by Allison. Thus, the investigation regarding the topic of healing shall be focused.

In the book Two to Three Things I Know for Sure, Dorothy Allison highlights social class as the ability to be empowered and be abused. Those who are seen as poor are often judged and abused in order for higher social classes to be empowered and feel better about themselves. On the other hand, it is very significant to also view Skins Taking About Sex and Literature as a book which provides series of essays which will mentions the issue of being different. Hence being different leads to seclusion later on unaccepted in the society. Furthermore, looking at the issues being discussed it is very evident that social class as well the society plays a huge role in the life of a person.

Similar to what is mentioned by Jonathan Shay, war veterans had widely experienced different traumas after the war. During the war, they are able to see deaths and kill individuals who they do not even know. War veterans also experienced losing different people who had became their friends during the time of war. In addition to this, war veterans often experience paranoia of danger in different places even at their own home. It is written by Allison in the book Two to Three Things I Know for Sure mentions that the character escapes from her own house in order to feel free and relieved from people who are often judging and abusing her due to her social class. Moreover, such kind of criticism towards other people is very important in the psychological state of these people. Being at the receiving end of negative criticisms makes a person unable to trust others and isolate him- or herself from society. Thus, she is often yearning to have a place where she could be herself without any qualms. Through traveling and walking in different areas outside of her community, it is clear that her exploration somehow means freedom in her perspective. Through the stories she makes up, the character becomes free. Unlike the moments when she is within her home or community, the girl feels free to talk to anyone and experience everything for no one knows her (Allison, 20).

Hence, the character needs to be healed for she often feels untrusting and vulnerable towards other people.
The main characters desire for freedom, can be explained by the experiences of the soldiers discussed in Jonathan Shays Odysseus in America Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming. According to Shay, since society has its unstated norms, people tend to criticize individuals (159). To justify his claim, Shay cites the soldiers in different wars as examples. People from the war are very sensitive in terms of their achievements and experiences. For instance, the American soldiers who are unable to go home to the United States with success are often criticized by the community. Likewise, during the Korean War, soldiers were seen as individuals weaker than other soldiers put to war for they were seen as weak against their enemies.  On the other hand, there were soldiers in the Vietnam War who were persecuted by the people when they came home due to the lives they took during the war. Although the United States was triumphant in the wars, the number of people who died in the war is important. Hence, soldiers are seen as monsters and murderers. Such kind of judgment and experiences significantly influence the psychological state of soldiers to the point that they become untrusting of other people (Shay 154-155). This is one of the many symptoms of PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder).

PTSD is a common psychological disorder that manifest among soldiers who survived the horrors of war.  There are moments when a veteran soldier bursts out from his peacefulness and disrupts the silence of the community. There are also instances when they become paranoid and deal with daily matters as if they are still fighting in the war. In the book Skin Talking About Sex and Literature it is very clear that there are cases in which a PTSD patient could go ballistic due to simple reasons. The people affected by this psychological disease are paranoid and helpless regarding their emotions. Furthermore, impulsive reactions to situations tend to result in violent and negative results (Allison 59). Dorothy presented the vulnerability of a person who is seen by the society as different. Through being different, cases of insecurity, vulnerability within a certain society. Hence, this kind of conflict with ones self results to seclusion and non trust to other people.

Therefore, these kinds of issues are important to be healed.

Mention first how is healing related to the previous paragraph and that there is a need to be healed ( Healing is similar to accepting reality. Though past experiences are important in the present, accepting former actions is important to attain freedom in the present. To achieve this, Shay suggests that soldiers who recently came from war must undergo a purification process after the battle (244). Purification involves attaining connection with oneself and with ones spirit, which is important to let go of and accept the experiences that have been psychologically distressing for the individual. Through the realization that people need help, ones distrust and paranoia shall be healed. To heal oneself, Shay also suggests that one should be at home (246). For a person who does not trust and have faith during certain situations, it is important to be in a place where an individual is contented and calm. Hence, similar to the characters of the books provided, healing is an important process which must be attained by issues at hand. The characters are chattered by the societys judgments and standards. Looking upon this, acceptance and healing must be done to take away the past that still hurt the characters of the stories.

Conclusion
Healing is an important process that individuals have to go through, especially those who have been under psychological strain. One must face certain disturbances and irregularities in life such as disasters, heartaches, rejection, seclusion and the likes in order to heal from different kinds of psychological issues. In Allisons Two or Three Things I Know for Sure, it is very clear that she wrote for people who suffered or are suffering still from emotional or physical violence. Through violence and abuse, people become vulnerable and tattered. Thus, upon experiencing such kind of hurt could lead to revenge or different violent reactions. Furthermore, acceptance is also important to the steps of healing and forgiveness. A person must be willing to accept that experiences happen for a reason and such reason could only be realized in the future. Also, it is important for a person to show respect towards another. In cases of psychological issues, most individuals hate themselves because they are unlike others.  Hence, while people who experienced violence are mostly shattered, it is only through respect and openness will other individuals could be able to resolve conflicts.