It is widely accepted that memories reconstruct the past: We need individual memories in order to experience biographical continuity. Without the episodic (or autobiographical) memory, it would be impossible for us to link our individual past to ourselves. The strong connexion between memory and the past is a very prominent topic in contempo-rary British fiction and the significance of memory is discussed in many literary works. One of these works is Harold Pinter’s play Old Times.
Together with the plays Landscape and Silence and the sketch Night, these works have often been referred to as ‘memory plays’ because they „focus on the past”. In all these plays, Pinter extensively investigates the possibilities of recreating the past as well as the problematic function of memory.
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Given the fact that even the author himself has difficulties to summarize his works, it is even more difficult for the viewer, especially as Pinter does not write “with an audience in mind” .
Though he is convinced “that what happens in (his) plays could happen anywhere, at any time, in any place, although the events may seem unfamiliar at first glance,” the action in Pinter’s plays is always ambiguous and the plot a framework of contradictions, multilayered statements and silences. So, what is Pinter writing about? He only gives us one clue: It is “not (about) the weasel under the cabinet.
This paper aims to answer the question above. In the following, I will look at the sketch Night first. Then I want to concentrate on the topic of memory in the plays Landscape and Silence. In the main part, I will discuss the significance of memory in Old Times. As we will see, Pinter demonstrates that memory operates on a variety of levels. In all plays, memory is unreliable and can be reshaped according to one’s present needs. It can be a means of comfort and security, as in Night. It can separate people by providing them with the possibility to live in the past and to avoid confrontation in the present, as in Landscape and Silence. In Old Times, the function of memory is clearly the most complex. Here, it is used as a weapon in a battle for positions in which impression man-agement rules the battlefield.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Memory in Night
- Memory in Landscape
- Memory in Silence
- Memory in Old Times
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to explore the aspect of memory in Harold Pinter's play "Old Times." It examines how memory shapes the present, revealing the unreliable nature of personal narratives and the difficulty of establishing a definitive past.
- The relationship between memory and reality
- The subjective nature of individual memory
- The impact of the past on the present
- The role of language in shaping and distorting memory
- The concept of "truth" in Pinter's works
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of memory and its significance in Pinter's works. It explores the connection between memory and personal identity, referencing the importance of memory in contemporary British fiction. The concept of "memory plays," including Pinter's "Old Times," "Landscape," and "Silence," is introduced.
- Memory in Night: This chapter delves into Pinter's early work "Night," analyzing its thematic focus on memory and its impact on the characters' understanding of the past and present.
- Memory in Landscape: This chapter examines the role of memory in "Landscape," highlighting its exploration of the fragmented nature of recollection and the distortion of memories over time.
- Memory in Silence: This chapter focuses on the theme of memory in "Silence," showcasing how Pinter uses silence and ambiguity to highlight the gaps and uncertainties in our recollection of past events.
- Memory in Old Times: This chapter delves into the play "Old Times," examining its intricate portrayal of memory and its impact on relationships. It explores the themes of the past's influence on the present, the subjectivity of memory, and the struggle to define truth in a world shaped by conflicting recollections.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This term paper explores key themes such as memory, identity, realism, subjectivity, ambiguity, truth, and the past's influence on the present. It focuses on the analysis of Harold Pinter's "Old Times" and his other "memory plays," examining how memory shapes our understanding of reality and our experiences.
- Quote paper
- Lydia Prexl (Author), 2007, The Aspect of Memory in Harold Pinter’s 'Old Times', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/128148
