Bodies in transit: trauma, health and exile in Dima Wannous’s The Frightened Ones

This study examines how forced migration and displacement impact both physical and psychological health, taking Dima Wannous’s The Frightened Ones as a representative example. Set against the Syrian revolution and subsequent refugee crisis, the novel portrays the protagonist’s struggle with anxiety, fear, and fragmented identity while living in exile. As the protagonist navigates exile and displacement, her body becomes a symbol for anxiety, illness and psychological distress. Employing an interdisciplinary approach that draws on trauma theory, migration studies and health humanities, this study explores how Wannous’s narrative reflects the embodied effects of war, forced displacement and persistent instability. This article argues that Wannous uses narrative fragmentation, repetition and interior monologues to mirror the long-term health consequences of migration trauma. My article also argues that Wannous’s narrative challenges the assumption that physical relocation leads to recovery, illustrating how exile often intensifies rather than alleviates the lingering effects of violence. By positioning The Frightened Ones within broader discussions on migrant health and refugee precarity, this article highlights the role of contemporary Arabic literature in articulating the invisible yet deeply felt burdens of displacement.