The Psychology of Exile and Uncanny: A Diasporic Study of Susan Abualhawa’s Mornings in Jenin

Abstract

Exile is a severe form of separation that can be brought on by a person's political, social, or personal situation. It can have serious psychological, emotional, and societal repercussions whether it is forced or voluntarily. People who are exiled frequently suffer a sense of loss, dislocation, nostalgia, loss of identity and alienation as they work to acclimatize to new surroundings and make new social relationships. Exile can have a variety of psychological effects, including despair, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It may require people to face and adapt to new obstacles, which may promote resilience, growth, and innovation. Additionally, the idea of "uncanny," or a feeling of familiarity and connection in a strange environment, might aid those who are exiled in preserving their sense of self and community. The current paper tries to explore the psychological effects and the consequences of exile on immigrant people in Mornings in Jenin (2010), a novel by Susan Abualhawa. It will investigate the complex emotional and social consequences of exile felt by a Palestinian family. The War forced the family to flee their country, and as a result of being split up and distributed across several nations, they experienced feelings of grief, dislocation, and estrangement. It presents a complex picture of how exile affects people's identities, interpersonal connections, and mental health. To attain this aim, the study will adapt diaspora theory that provides a remarkable insight into the lingering impacts of political turmoil and relocation on people's minds and communities in exile.