Abuse, Sexuality and Trauma in the Antebellum South: An Intersectional Approach to Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad.

Belled Pérez, Teresa
Martínez Falquina, Silvia (dir.)

Universidad de Zaragoza, FFYL, 2020
Filología Inglesa y Alemana department, Filología Inglesa area

Graduado en Estudios Ingleses

Abstract: This paper, supported by works mainly about intersectional feminism, race studies, and sexuality, examines Colson Whitehead’s novel The Underground Railroad and the many abuses that Cora, the main character, and other female slaves suffer. It also analyses some of the narrative techniques and literary devices used by the author in order to better illustrate all these abuses and bring the reader closer to Cora’s experience. Lastly, it aims to explore the consequences of this violence on Cora’s perception of her sexuality as a possible sexual trauma. In this way, it brings an intersectional approach to the situation of black women in the Antebellum South, represented by Cora in Whitehead’s novel.

Tipo de Trabajo Académico: Trabajo Fin de Grado