Author(s): Bhabes Kumar Labh

Abstract: This article explores the themes of trauma and memory in August Strindberg’s one-act modern tragedy, Facing Death, applying the theoretical frameworks of Dominick LaCapra’s trauma theory—particularly his concepts of acting-out and working-through—and Avishai Margalit’s notion of the ethics of memory. It focuses on the characterization of the protagonist, Monsieur Durand, critically examining how his traumatic past and its unsettling memories converge and rupture his sense of self, ultimately leading to his suicide. Based on a hermeneutic methodology with subjective interpretation and argumentation, rather than objective, data-driven analysis, the article contends that Durand’s suicide stems not merely from financial hardship or generosity toward his daughters, but from profound psychological wounds.

Keywords: August Strindberg, Facing Death, trauma, ethics of memory, Avishai Margalit, Dominick LaCapra, working-through, acting-out, naturalism

Article Info: Received: 13 May 2025; Received in revised form: 07 Jun 2025; Accepted: 11 Jun 2025; Available online: 17 Jun 2025

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.103.86