THE REPRESENTATION OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND DISTORTED INNOCENCE IN THE PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR NOVELLA “LITTLE KYLA’S DIARY”

Oleh :
Salsabila Alfiana Maharani Prabowo Siwi - B0322070 - Fak. Ilmu Budaya

This thesis is a creative writing project in the form of a psychological novella entitled Little Kyla’s Diary. The project was inspired by concerns regarding child abuse and its long-lasting psychological impact on survivors. Although cases of domestic violence and child abuse are frequently discussed in public, the experiences of child victims are often represented through adult perspectives. Therefore, this project aims to portray trauma through the voice of a child and explore how traumatic experiences influence memory, identity, and an individual's perception of reality. In developing this novella, Trauma Theory serves as the primary framework to understand the effects of abuse, memory fragmentation, dissociation, and the persistence of trauma into adulthood. The project employs a practice-based research method through creative writing, supported by self-reflection, observation, and the study of literary and theoretical sources related to trauma and child abuse. The resulting novella follows Kyla, a ten-year-old girl who records her experiences through diary entries after escaping an abusive household and encountering individuals who gradually shape her understanding of violence, trust, and survival. Through the use of fragmented narration, diary-style storytelling, and an unreliable child narrator, the novella illustrates how unresolved trauma can distort memory, influence behavior, and affect the construction of identity. As the final result, this project seeks to contribute to the literary representation of childhood trauma while encouraging readers to develop a deeper awareness of the psychological consequences of abuse and the lasting effects it may have throughout a survivor’s life.