The Impact of the American War on the American Soldiers: An Examination of Survival Psychology in Scranton's War Porn and Powers’ The Yellow Birds

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate of English Literature, Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

3 Associate Professor of English Literature, Ferdowsi Mashhad University, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

This research explores fictional representations of the Iraq War by American writers, focusing on how neglecting soldiers’ individuality renders their psychological suffering invisible. This theme is especially prominent in American literature on the Iraq War, where protagonists — often American soldiers — experience deep psychological crises and struggle to reintegrate into civilian life. Kevin Powers' The Yellow Birds and Roy Scranton’s War Porn portray the war’s devastating consequences and lasting impact on soldiers. Even after returning home, these soldiers face ongoing psychological battles. Using theories of Survival Psychology and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, this paper analyzes how these novels illuminate the American war in Iraq and its far-reaching effects. The war affected not only Iraqi civilians but also American combatants, inflicting enduring psychological harm. This study identifies a recurring pattern of destruction that affects both the external environment and individual identity. By highlighting the psychological trauma and the depersonalization of soldiers’ suffering in War Porn and The Yellow Birds, the paper exposes the complex and often baffling aftermath of war. These narratives reveal how war continues to shape the lives of American veterans long after combat ends, offering a deeper understanding of the hidden psychological toll of modern warfare.

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References

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 January 2025
  • Revise Date: 05 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 11 October 2025

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