Narrating Time and Trauma: Temporal Point of View and Racial Discrimination in Gravel Heart

Abstract

This research presents the narrative analysis of the novel, Gravel Heart by Gurnah employing the Fowler-Uspensky model of point of view (Uspensky, 1973; Fowler, 1986, 1996) aiming to shed light on the significance of temporal perspective in highlighting racial discrimination and trauma and investigating their impact on the lives of the characters. The research objective revolves around examining the role played by time in revealing racial tensions in Gravel Heart. The findings of this study indicate that Gurnah has skillfully employed temporal point of view to highlight racial discrimination in the novel and the temporal setting intensifies this racial struggle through multiple flashbacks giving detailed accounts of the past and the present. The study provides a deeper understanding of Gurnah’s narrative techniques and the relationship between temporal point of view and racial dimensions.