How Does Samuel Archibald Use Memory In Arvida

Narrative and Memory in Arvida Archibald uses his memories to illustrate that Arvida, like many small towns, has a history and a place in the world only through the stories of its residents. Without Archibald’s stories giving life and meaning to Arvida, it has no sense of distinct place in the world and within the greater context of Canada. In Arvida by Samuel Archibald, memory is characterized as a lens through which to narrate the present place and time; throughout the novel, Archibald uses his and others’ memories to give the town of Arvida its own history and personal narrative which it otherwise lacks. In Arvida, memory is used by Archibald as a means of accessing the past and creating a common narrative of the town of Arvida. “There is no memory in our experience of things. Long lost pastries bring back childhood for ourselves alone, and even then, if we

Archibald essentially states here that we can only experience our memories alone, and even often that fails to fully capture the vibrancy of the original events. Archibald hereby denies the existence of a collective memory, and thus creates a space for Arvida in the collective consciousness by writing down his own experiences. Arvida has very little to distinguish itself from other towns in Quebec- its form, function, and use are all virtually identical to any number of other towns on the Saguenay. It is Archibald’s narration of his memories which gives Arvida its own space among others and thus departs a sense of being and pride onto the residents. Arvida, unlike larger cities, is not unique for its history or location. Arvida is unique because of the stories its residents hold within their consciousness, and because