Memories Shape Personal Identity

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Memories Memories are symbols that are used to demonstrate the progression from the past into the development of one’s current personal identity. Furthermore, personal memories serve to investigate one’s thoughts. Native Guard by Natasha Trethewey and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro are 21st century works that reflect on the use of memories to enhance personal thoughts by impacting perspectives. Addressing and reflecting on thoughts and feelings towards previous events creates and alters perspectives. In Native Guard, Trethewey develops a perspective on her past and history through her memories, and in Never Let Me Go, Ishiguro uses Kathy’s memories to develop her actions and decisions. Both, Tretheway and Ishiguro, demonstrate that a memory portrays a symbol that serves to reflect on the past in order to develop personal identity.
Memories symbolize letting go of the past and initiating a new life; consequently, developing one’s personal identity. In Native Guard, Trethewey implies the impatience for a new life in “The Southern Crest” when she says, “The rails humming like anticipation”(Trethewey 5). By using personification, Tretheway emphasizes that a new life rings in one’s mind while reflecting on the past. …show more content…

In Native Guard, Trethewey demonstrates that the past contributes to forming personal identity by reflecting on previous events to form stronger beliefs and perspectives. Ishiguro portrays that memories contribute to the process of self growth and understanding. Both works of literature demonstrate that “memory is at the heart of the way most people think about personal identity” because memories generate the idea of existence through the processes of the past (Klein, Stanley 1). Through the use of memories, Trethewey and Ishiguro demonstrate self-awareness, deeper perspectives, and the permanence of memories within the process of developing one’s

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