Memory In Ray Bradbury's 'Dandelion Wine'

Bradbury, Ray. Dandelion Wine. New York: Bantam Books, 1997. Print. Dandelion Wine is a novel that examines life and death, youth and age, factuality and the realities we invent for ourselves. Amongst these themes, there is an exploration of the importance and reality of memory. Through characterization Ray Bradbury shows that memory influences both who we are and who we will become, consciously or unconsciously, depending on whether we focus on the past or the future.

The theme itself is made obvious even in the introduction, where Bradbury describes how the novel came about partly through his own memory of his childhood in Illinois. But the first character to truly make memory a part of his identity is not Douglas, the protagonist, but

It also allows the reader to travel with Douglas as it dawns on him that these memories and their recollection are an intense aspect of life itself (pp. 7-9). After reaching this realization, Douglas takes on memory as part of his identity as well. He begins recording the events, rituals, and realizations that come with a new summer (pp. 26). These rituals are themselves a celebration of memory, repeating each year and allowing room for reminiscing over the events of the previous summer and the one before that. Some hold memory of more than the last time they were performed, like the bi-annual rug beating.

In the clouds of dust, stains, threadbare patches, and intricate patterns of the rugs, dragged out onto the lawn, Tom points out memories of the year. This again draws Douglas into the world of recollection (pp. 64-67). This gives the reader a deeper look into Tom’s character. Tom is observant and imaginative, and recalling events and sharing them is deeply important to him. This is demonstrated throughout the book, especially through his conversation with Grandfather about the summer, when he declares “I’ll never forget today! I’ll always remember, I know!” (pp.