Wounded Subjectivity and the Reconstruction of the Self: A Comparative Study of Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life and Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

This article examines the construction of wounded subjectivity and self-reconstruction in Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life (2015) and Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous (2019). Using trauma theory and narrative identity theory, it explores how the protagonists negotiate memory, suffering, family relationships, and personal history to rebuild fragmented identities. The study argues that both novels present identity as an evolving process shaped by trauma, with Yanagihara emphasizing the lasting effects of psychological wounds and Vuong highlighting storytelling as a path toward healing and resilience. Ultimately, the article contributes to contemporary trauma studies by demonstrating how meaning and identity are continuously reconstructed through memory, relationships, and self-narration.