The Historicity of the ‘Traumatic’ in Iraqi Literary Production Iraqi literary production since 1991 is distinguished by an acute sense of rupture that is better expressed in themes of isolation, suspicion and distrust of Others. Although the central referents are the homeland and its enemies, homeland grows into an abstraction, a community where forlornness settles and where ghosts survive to muse on their betrayal by state and Others. Ambiguity and fantasy help in establishing this sense that does not openly cross red lines. Style, language, scenes and episodes complement each other in creating a tableau that may seem and sound grim otherwise has it not been for sarcasm, hilarity, irony and travesty. Elements that are usually associated with post-modernity poetics, regain a political and social sense through the overriding longing for an open space and locale. Nationhood under the sanctions becomes a burden, and bitterness at the American-led wars and sanctions does not minimize disgust and mistrust leveled at national centers of power, the regime and its many reorientations. Literary production since 2003, especially the one produced inside Iraq, rewrites the past with more criticism of regimes of thought and power, but the central monster, with many forms, is the intruder and the invader. Even when not mentioned in political terms, it exists in every instance of human violation, fear, failure, and brutality. The homeland retains its ancient image of compassion and love though under dire circumstances and duress. The family replaces the regime or any other center of power and self hood assumes another presence and role in an otherwise harrowing outside. While homeland is one’s anchor, not his/her enemy, it is the Iraqi writer residing outside Iraq who receives the butt of sarcasm. Though it is difficult to speak of nationhood, exile, human love, violence and war as literary trends, their presence is so pervasive as to impact styles and ways of presentation. In matter and manner the distinctive aspect connotes traumas and anxieties.