Abstract: Paul Austers Man in the Dark (2008) illustrates the tremendous impact of “9·11”and Iraq war on the life of an ordinary American family. The victims retrospective narration is examined and the social significance of Man in the Dark in bearing witness to traumatic histories, healingtrauma and raising ethical concerns are illustrated. It is found that the novel is not restricted to “representing” the trauma incurred by 9·11, but directs at “curing” the cultural trauma and thus eliminating it in the long run．However, the protagonist Augusts narrative therapy proves ineffective and the trauma incurred by war is hard to heal.

Key words: Paul Auster, Man in the Dark, post 9·11 literature, trauma narrative

摘要： 保罗·奥斯特的《黑暗中的人》描述了“9·11”事件及伊拉克战争给一个普通美国家庭生活带来的巨大冲击。聚焦创伤受害者自省意识下的叙述话语，力图呈现《黑暗中的人》在疗愈心灵创伤、参与集体记忆构建、倾注伦理关怀等方面所具有的参考借鉴意义。作品并不囿于再现“9·11” 创伤，而旨在“去 9·11 化”。然而主人公奥古斯特的叙事治疗机制并未成功治愈自身的心灵创伤，可见战争带来的心灵创伤已然成为这个时代的烙印，难以抚平。

关键词: 保罗·奥斯特, 《黑暗中的人》, 后 “9·11”文学, 创伤叙事