Navigating Trauma: A Rhetorical Analysis of Jennifer Niven’s All the Bright Places

This thesis provides a detailed rhetorical study of Jennifer Niven's All the Bright Places, a young adult novel that delves into topics of trauma, mental illness, and healing through its unique narrative structure. Building on James Phelan's rhetorical theory of narrative, the study tries to show how Niven's formal choices—such as dual narration, non-linear storytelling, and tonal shifts—help to explain and enhance the protagonists' painful experiences. By framing All the Bright Places as a trauma story, the study will demonstrate how Niven's storytelling tactics connect readers morally and emotionally, adding to the novel's affective power and social importance.