Master’s Degree Awarded to Researcher Abdulqader Al-Kawkabani with Distinction in English Literature
Researcher Abdulqader Yahya Saad Al-Kawkabani was awarded a Master’s Degree in English Literature with an average of excellent and a grade of (95%) for his thesis titled: Exploring the Role of Childhood Trauma Experiences in Shaping Identity in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart,” which was submitted to the Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Humanities – Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
# |
Committee Members |
Designation |
Position |
1 |
Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Sharaf Al-Deen |
Internal Examiner |
Chair |
2 |
Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Al-Ghurbani |
Main Supervisor |
Member |
3 |
Dr. Bushra Nasser Ahmed Al-Masouba |
External Examiner |
Member |
The study aimed to examine how childhood experiences, particularly feelings of shame, humiliation, and the perceived failure of the father, contribute to shaping the identity of Okonkwo. It also analyzed the impact of patterns of tension and control on family relationships, explored the intergenerational transmission of trauma from Unoka to Okonkwo and subsequently to Nwoye, and investigated how these factors contributed to the formation and eventual disintegration of the protagonist’s identity. In addition, the study examined how Chinua Achebe portrayed these narrative dynamics through silence, repetition, physical actions, and the limited portrayal of the characters’ inner worlds.
The findings revealed that Okonkwo’s identity was shaped by the interaction of childhood trauma, inherited shame, familial and societal pressures, and the effects of colonialism, ultimately leading to the collapse of his identity. The study further demonstrated that Achebe portrayed these traumatic experiences indirectly through silence, repetition, behavior, and narrative structure, reflecting the transmission of emotional pain across generations.
The researcher recommended applying the Trauma-Informed Close Reading approach to other literary texts while taking into account different cultural and historical contexts, particularly in African literature and postcolonial literature.
The thesis defense was attended by faculty members, researchers, students, and interested participants as well as the researcher’s colleagues and family members.
A video from the Viva-Voce
