The Journey of Fragmented Self in Paul Auster’s Moon Palace

Abstract

Paul Auster’s Moon Palace reflects the social change in terms of self- discovery, societal norms and personal transformation. The protagonist Marco Stanley Fogg faces trauma and loss at the early stage of his life. His emotional and psychological journey begins with the loss of his mother which leads to the fragmentation of his self. His traumatic experiences reflect the uncertainty and emotional detachment in his life. His attempt to reconstruct the sense of self mirrors the inner world of Marco, his search for meaning and identity. Moon Palace portrays the complexities of life, relationships, and empathy to understand the process of self-reconstruction in the face of loss. This paper attempts to examine the psychological consequences of trauma, the fragmented self and the reintegration of the self. The journey of Marco presents both the internal and external forces leading to the fragmented self and identity.