Against the standard focus on the questions of race in Tony Morrison's "Recitatif", this paper analyses how the short story features the four levels of memory as defined by Aleida Assmann: individual, social, political, and cultural. African American author Toni Morrison mentions memory as a central theme of her work. While Morrison's novels have been approached from this angle, her only short story "Recitatif" has mostly been read as a comment on race relations and stereotypes. This paper shifts focus from race towards individual and collective memory as vital elements of this story. Still, the issue of race can be integrated in the larger concept of collective memory.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Theoretical Framework
- Individual versus Collective Memory
- Four Formats of Memory: Individual, Social, Political, Cultural
- Memory in the work of Toni Morrison
- Text Analysis
- Individual Memory in "Recitatif": Mothers and, "What the hell happened to Maggie?"
- Social Memory in "Recitatif": James, Joseph and “Jimi Hendrix, asshole.”
- Political Memory in "Recitatif": The Big Bozo and "The Brady Bunch"
- Cultural Memory in "Recitatif": Race and Reader's Response
- Memories Meet: The Title "Recitatif"
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes Toni Morrison's short story "Recitatif," shifting the focus from the commonly discussed theme of race relations to the exploration of individual and collective memory as central elements within the narrative. The study aims to demonstrate how memory, in its various forms, shapes the characters' experiences and interpretations of their past, impacting their identities and relationships. The paper utilizes the theoretical framework of memory studies to examine how individual memories intertwine with social, political, and cultural memory within the context of the story.
- Individual Memory and Identity Formation
- The Interplay of Individual and Collective Memory
- Social, Political, and Cultural Memory in "Recitatif"
- The Role of Memory in Shaping Interpretations of Race
- Memory and the Construction of Narrative
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context for the paper by highlighting the growing academic and public interest in memory studies, particularly in relation to cultural traumas and the need to process historical events. It introduces Toni Morrison's work and its focus on memory, contrasting prevalent interpretations of "Recitatif" as solely a commentary on race with the paper's aim of emphasizing the significance of individual and collective memory in the story.
Theoretical Framework: This section lays out the theoretical groundwork for the analysis. It distinguishes between individual and collective memory, addressing the complexities and ongoing debates surrounding their definitions and applications across various disciplines. It then introduces Aleida Assmann's four "formats of memory"—individual, social, political, and cultural—providing a framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of memory and its influence on individual and collective identities.
Text Analysis: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of "Recitatif" using the previously established theoretical framework. It systematically explores how individual, social, political, and cultural memories shape the narrative, examining specific examples from the text to illustrate the intricate interplay of these memory formats. The analysis is expected to reveal how characters' subjective memories and experiences intersect with larger social, political, and cultural narratives related to race and identity in American society.
Keywords
Collective memory, individual memory, Toni Morrison, Recitatif, race, identity, memory studies, cultural trauma, social memory, political memory, narrative.
Toni Morrison's "Recitatif": A Study of Memory
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes Toni Morrison's short story "Recitatif," focusing on the role of individual and collective memory in shaping the characters' experiences, identities, and relationships. It shifts away from solely focusing on race relations, to explore how different forms of memory interact within the narrative.
What theoretical framework is used?
The paper utilizes the theoretical framework of memory studies, specifically Aleida Assmann's four "formats of memory": individual, social, political, and cultural. This framework helps to understand the multifaceted nature of memory and its impact on individual and collective identities.
What are the key themes explored?
Key themes include individual memory and identity formation, the interplay between individual and collective memory, the presence of social, political, and cultural memory in "Recitatif," the role of memory in shaping interpretations of race, and the construction of narrative through memory.
How is the analysis structured?
The analysis is structured into an introduction, a theoretical framework section, a detailed text analysis of "Recitatif," and a conclusion. The text analysis systematically explores how individual, social, political, and cultural memories shape the narrative, using specific examples from the story.
What specific examples from "Recitatif" are analyzed?
The analysis examines examples such as the characters' mothers, the significance of the phrase "What the hell happened to Maggie?", the roles of James and Joseph and the mention of "Jimi Hendrix, asshole," the significance of "The Big Bozo" and "The Brady Bunch" in relation to political memory, and how race influences reader response and shapes cultural memory. The title "Recitatif" itself is also analyzed within the context of memory.
What are the key objectives of the study?
The study aims to demonstrate how different forms of memory shape characters' experiences and interpretations of their past. It seeks to show how individual memories intertwine with social, political, and cultural memory within the context of "Recitatif".
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Collective memory, individual memory, Toni Morrison, Recitatif, race, identity, memory studies, cultural trauma, social memory, political memory, and narrative.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes: Introduction, Theoretical Framework (Individual versus Collective Memory, Four Formats of Memory, Memory in the work of Toni Morrison), Text Analysis (Individual Memory in "Recitatif", Social Memory in "Recitatif", Political Memory in "Recitatif", Cultural Memory in "Recitatif", Memories Meet: The Title "Recitatif"), and Conclusion.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the content and arguments presented in each section of the paper, including the introduction, theoretical framework, and the detailed text analysis.
- Quote paper
- Rüdiger Thomsen (Author), 2014, Race and Memory in Tony Morrison's "Recitatif", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1153718
