earticle

영어

This paper aims to reveal that the process of reconstructing the past brings about a newly constructed subject in How I Learned to Drive. Reconstructing the past in How I Learned to Drive is from a retrospective point of view. Therefore, the past is edited, distorted, deleted and transformed. Lit'l Bit reconstructs her past traumas from her childhood and adolescent period of being sexually abused. The reconstruction is not a literal representation of the past nor is it a tone of an affirmation. In her reconstructed narrative, she was loved by Peck, and was the dominant partner in their relationship. In her reconstruction, she becomes not the traumatic victim but the survivor. She overcomes all the pains of the past experience with Peck, who even while loving her abused her. At the age of around 40, she reconciles with Peck who has died by recalling him in her imagination. Because of this reconciliation Lit'l Bit can be dependent on Peck, and at the same time makes possible her future positive relationship with him in her imagination. Lit'l Bit becomes liberated from the past by reconciling with Peck in her reconstructed narrative. Therefore, by forgiving Peck and herself for cooperating with him in his abuse of her body, she frees herself from her past traumas. Furthermore, she learns to control her anger, and becomes healed through this process of refashioning the past.