Collective Memory in Literature & Literary Theory

Collective Memory: Etymology, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “collective memory” originates from the Latin word “collegere,” meaning to gather or collect, combined with “memory,” reflecting the shared recollections and experiences of a group. It encompasses the idea that memories, cultural narratives, and historical events are not only personal but also collectively constructed and shared within a community or society.

Meanings and Concept:

• Shared Cultural Knowledge: Collective memory refers to the shared knowledge and interpretations of significant events, traditions, and cultural symbols within a group or community.
• Formation of Identity: It plays a crucial role in shaping the collective identity of a community, providing a framework for understanding the past and influencing present perspectives.
• Transmission through Generations: This memory involves the transmission of shared narratives, values, and historical awareness from one generation to the next, fostering a sense of continuity.
• Selective Nature: The concept acknowledges that memory is often selective, emphasizing certain events or aspects of history while downplaying or forgetting others.
• Influence on Social Cohesion: It contributes to social cohesion by fostering a sense of belonging and shared history, providing a basis for common values and a collective understanding of the group’s place in the world.

Collective Memory: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Collective memory refers to the shared pool of recollections, experiences, and cultural knowledge within a community or society. It encapsulates the collective interpretation and preservation of significant events, traditions, and symbols that contribute to the group’s identity. The concept acknowledges the selective nature of memory formation and its role in shaping social cohesion through the transmission of narratives across generations.

Collective Memory: Theorists, Works, and Argument

Theorist	Key Works	Central Argument
Maurice Halbwachs	On Collective Memory	Halbwachs explores how individual memory is shaped by collective influences, emphasizing the social frameworks that mold shared recollections.
Aleida Assmann	Cultural Memory and Western Civilization	Assmann examines cultural memory’s role in shaping societies, distinguishing between communicative and cultural memory and their impact on collective identity.
Pierre Nora	Realms of Memory: Rethinking the French Past	Nora’s multi-volume work delves into France’s collective memory, highlighting the intertwining of history, memory, and identity within a national context.
Jan Assmann	Cultural Memory and Early Civilization	Assmann explores the concept of cultural memory in ancient societies, emphasizing its role in constructing group identity and transmitting cultural knowledge.
Emile Durkheim	The Elementary Forms of Religious Life	While not explicitly on memory, Durkheim’s work on collective representations lays a foundation for understanding how shared symbols contribute to collective memory.

Please note that the provided works may cover various aspects of collective memory, and the titles are formatted in bold italics without quotation marks.

Collective Memory: Major Characteristics

Characteristics	Literary Examples
Shared Cultural Knowledge	– To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: The novel reflects shared cultural knowledge about racial injustice and moral growth in a Southern town.
Formation of Identity	– One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: The book explores how memory shapes the identity of the Buendía family and the town of Macondo.
Transmission through Generations	– The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: The novel illustrates how stories and books are passed down, influencing perspectives and forming connections across generations.
Selective Nature	– 1984 by George Orwell: Orwell’s work explores the selective manipulation of historical memory by a totalitarian regime to control and shape societal perceptions.
Influence on Social Cohesion	– The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck: The novel portrays the impact of memory on social solidarity as the Joad family navigates the hardships of the Great Depression.

Collective Memory: Relevance in Literary Theories

• Reader-Response Theory:
  • It is relevant in Reader-Response theory as it influences readers’ interpretations and engagement with literary texts. Readers draw upon shared cultural memories to derive meaning from the narrative, contributing to the dynamic interaction between the text and the reader.
• Postcolonialism:
  • In postcolonial literary theories, it is essential for understanding how the memories of historical events shape the narratives of colonized and colonizer, influencing the construction of cultural identity and the portrayal of postcolonial societies.
• Feminist Criticism:
  • It plays a crucial role in feminist literary criticism by examining how shared cultural memories contribute to the shaping of gender roles and identities. Feminist theorists explore how collective memory influences the representation of women in literature.
• Psychoanalytic Criticism:
  • Psychoanalytic literary criticism finds relevance in collective memory by exploring how shared cultural memories, symbols, and archetypes influence the collective unconscious. Literary works often tap into these collective memories to evoke emotional responses and symbolism.
• Structuralism:
  • It intersects with structuralist literary theories by influencing the creation of narratives and the organization of cultural symbols within literary texts. Structuralist analyses may examine how collective memory shapes narrative structures and cultural meanings in literature.

Collective Memory: Application in Critiques

• Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude:
  • Application of Identity Formation: It is critical in understanding how the Buendía family’s shared memories shape the identity of Macondo. The novel explores how the collective memory of past events influences the characters’ perceptions and actions.
• Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird:
  • Impact on Cultural Knowledge: In a critique, its can be examined to understand how the shared cultural knowledge about racial injustice contributes to the narrative. The town’s collective memory shapes attitudes and responses to events in the story.
• George Orwell’s 1984:
  • Selective Nature of Memory: It is a central theme in 1984, where the oppressive regime manipulates and controls historical memory. A critique can delve into how the selective nature of memory contributes to the dystopian world and societal control.
• Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief:
  • Transmission through Generations: A critique can explore how the novel illustrates the transmission of collective memory through books and stories, influencing characters across generations. The shared cultural memories shape the characters’ understanding of the world and their relationships.

Collective Memory: Relevant Terms

Term	Brief Definition
Reader-Response	Literary theory focusing on readers’ interpretations and responses to texts.
Postcolonialism	Analyzes literature in the context of colonial and postcolonial experiences.
Feminist Criticism	Examines literature through the lens of gender, critiquing representations.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Explores the psychological elements and symbolism in literature.
Structuralism	Literary theory that examines the underlying structures and patterns in texts.
Deconstruction	Questions the stability and certainty of language and meaning in literature.
Intertextuality	The interconnectedness of texts, exploring how one text references another.
Narrative Theory	Focuses on the structure and function of narratives in literature.
Semiotics	Examines signs and symbols in literature, studying how meaning is constructed.
Cultural Studies	Interdisciplinary approach analyzing literature within cultural contexts.

Collective Memory: Suggested Readings

1. Halbwachs, Maurice. On Collective Memory. University of Chicago Press, 1992.
2. Assmann, Aleida. Cultural Memory and Western Civilization: Functions, Media, Archives. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
3. Nora, Pierre. Realms of Memory: Rethinking the French Past. Columbia University Press, 1996.
4. Assmann, Jan. Cultural Memory and Early Civilization: Writing, Remembrance, and Political Imagination. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
5. Durkheim, Emile. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. Oxford University Press, 2008.