Gendered Violence and Psychological Breakdown in Sarah Kane's Blasted

Abstract

This paper investigates the theme of gendered violence and psychological breakdown in Sarah Kane's Blasted. In her work, the seasoned playwright Sarah Kane underscores the grotesque nature of sexual violence and rape, both in times of war and peace, drawing attention to their devastating consequences—ranging from psychological and mental illness to the loss of the joy of life and suicide. Throughout the play, Kane seeks to raise human awareness and confront the audience with the brutal realities that shatter the dignity and inner world of the victim, urging a rejection of such inhumane acts within both personal and societal contexts.