The European Conference on Literature & Librarianship 2016

The European Conference on Literature & Librarianship 2016

The European Conference on Literature & Librarianship 2016

Anne Tyler (born 1941) is one of the ingenious twentieth – century American writers.
Classified by critics as a Southern writer, Tyler focuses on modern families and their
distinctive relationships. She writes with wit and insight about runaway husbands, wives,
fathers, mothers and children. Her interest in themes concerning family, home and
identity becomes increasingly significant in her later works. This significance stems from
her fondness of drawing honest and accurate scenes and people. Tyler’s most legendary
novel is Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (1982) was nominated for the National Book
Critics circle Award in 1982. This work drew much praise for its psychological insight,
rich characterization and well – developed plot structure. It examines many facets of
family relationships, particularly as they evolve between mother and child, fester between
siblings, and extend into the world beyond. Since this paper is an attempt to bridge the
two fields of psychology and literature, Tyler’s Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant is
examined regarding how the interpersonal trauma of abandonment and neglect
experience in childhood had a great impact on the personality in adulthood. The study
shows to what extent Anne Tyler, in her novel, succeeds in displaying the psychological
difficulties that follow abandonment which leads to disturbed attachment styles,
difficulties with trust, diminished social skills and inability to understand social
interactions.

Shaden Adel Nasser