Trauma, Nostalgia, and Redemption among Veterans in Homecoming Film

This chapter uses the concepts of trauma and nostalgia to analyze the portrayal of PTSD in homecoming films. Nostalgia, integral to the study of battle’s psychological effects, has evolved in cultural studies to scrutinize power dynamics in depictions of “home.” This chapter scrutinizes how films depict the relationship between trauma and home. Drawing from Svetlana Boym’s distinction between restorative and reflective nostalgia, the former emphasizes national continuity, while the latter acknowledges gaps and inconsistencies in the concept of “home.” The chapter contends that reflective nostalgia provides a more realistic representation of people with PTSD and offers a more promising portrayal of their path toward “redemption,” wherein veterans navigate their enduring wounds.