FRACTURED VOWS: TRAUMA AND AUTONOMY IN THE UNRAVELING OF MARRIAGE IN TAYARI JONES’ AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE

Authors: Newbehin A & Dr R. Anto Sindhuja

ABSTRACT

This paper unravels complex reasons behind the dissolution of marriage between a Black American couple Roy and Celestial in Tayari Jones’ An American Marriage. The focus is on how trauma and autonomy challenge the traditional marriage ideas and expectations. Roy’s unjust imprisonment serves as a traumatic rupture that redefines the couple’s emotional attachment and questions their commitment in marriage. The commitment is challenged by the trauma of separation. The joy and bliss that the marriage holds lasts for a short span of time, the memory haunts Roy in prison and he clings to the loyalty, rather Celestial driven by her own emotional swings chooses her autonomy that is her career and her own emotional needs. She distances herself and seeks her personal choices and expects Roy to accept the changes. This paper highlights the marital vows, unraveling the complexities of love and identity in hold of systemic injustice to Roy and personal transformation of Celestial.

Keywords: Trauma, stress, expectations, challenges, victims

WORKS CITED

  1. Acker, Camille. “The Price of Autonomy in Tayari Jones’s An American Marriage.” Black Arts Quarterly, vol. 24, no. 2, 2019, pp. 34–38.
  2. Aruna, M. “Love on Trial: Examining Loyalty and Justice in Tayari Jones’ An American Marriage.” MEREN, vol.1,no.1, March 2025, pp. 31-41.
  3. Caruth, Cathy. Unclaimed Experience: Trauma, Narrative and History. John Hopkins UP, 1996.
  4. Jones, Tayari. An American Marriage. Algonquin Books, 2018.
  5. Kiruthikaa, K.R., and Suria R. “Disintegration of Family in Tayari Jones’s An American Marriage.” International Journal of Scientific Development and Research, vol. 9, no.2, Feb. 2024, pp. 72-73.