Voice, Trauma, and the Socially Constructed Self: Authenticity and Coming of Age in If I Was Your Girl

Abstract (English)

This paper examines the interplay of voice, trauma, and the socially constructed self in Meredith Russo’s If I Was Your Girl, focusing on Amanda Hardy’s coming of age journey as a transgender teenager who is seeking belonging, acceptance, and a sense of security. Using queer theory, narrative theory, and social constructionist perspectives, the study analyzes how Amanda’s first-person narration not only provides her with a sense of agency but also reveals the deep psychological impact of trauma rooted in her past. The narrative allows readers to engage closely with Amanda’s inner world, where her persistent efforts to assert a stable identity are shaped by experiences of marginalization, fear, rejection, and fragile hope. Her relationships with family members, friends, and romantic partners vividly illustrate how identity is formed through ongoing social interaction and is continually negotiated in response to external pressures and expectations. The novel portrays Amanda’s trauma as a significant obstacle that complicates her voice, resulting in silence, self-censorship, and moments of concealment at crucial points, which emphasizes the tension between vulnerability and resilience. By placing a transgender protagonist at the center of a young adult novel, Russo challenges conventional narratives of adolescence and expands the scope of what coming of age stories can represent. The text critiques societal norms that reinforce cisnormativity and transphobia, showing how these structures restrict personal freedom and self-expression. Rather than depicting identity as fixed or isolated, the novel emphasizes its fluidity and dependence on changing social contexts, offering a nuanced portrayal of both the challenges and the strengths in Amanda’s journey. This paper contends that If I Was Your Girl not only amplifies transgender voices but also draws vital attention to the broader struggle for recognition and equality experienced by marginalized groups, demonstrating the power of storytelling to foster empathy and affirm human dignity.