AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY JOUNAL OF ARTS

Traumatic experiences are often embedded in the hidden recesses of the human psyche. The unconscious mind acts as a vault, storing painful memories that consciously elude us but subtly shape our thoughts and actions. This paper provides a psychoanalytic exploration of trauma within the context of two plays by Nigerian playwright Ahmed Yerima, namely, Pari and Little Drops. It offers a quick overview of the relationship between trauma and the unconscious mind in the human psyche, emphasizing the impact of traumatic experiences on individual and collective consciousness. While there is a wealth of scholarly works on the role of trauma and the unconscious mind, little attention has been given to these elements in the context of the plays under investigation. The study employs close textual analysis of Yerima’s plays, employing Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory to analyze the portrayal of trauma in the selected plays. These plays offer evidence of trauma endured by citizens amidst the turmoil of insurgency and societal crises. Through the analysis of the character’s behaviours, dreams, interactions, and symbolic representations, this study seeks to uncover the hidden layers of trauma beneath the mere surface of the plot. Therefore, the paper aims to provide a better understanding of how trauma operates within the unconscious, as depicted in the literary texts and illuminate the complexities of human experience and the impact of unresolved trauma on individuals, families and society at large. The study reached the conclusion that Ahmed Yerima's portrayal of Pari and Little Drops not only portrays the impact of trauma and the resultant role of the unconscious on the human mind but also serves as a vivid reflection of the Nigerian society.

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