Shaping Individual and Collective Identities: The Trace of Cultural Memory in Kazuo Ishiguro's A Pale View of Hills in the Realm of Jan Assmann Theory

Kazuo Ishiguro, a Japanese-British modern writer, explores human emotions, trauma, and love in his novels, with memory playing a central role in shaping characters' identities. This study, drawing on Jan Assmann's cultural memory theory, investigates the role of memory in shaping individual and collective identities in Kazuo Ishiguro's A Pale View of Hills. The study explores how personal and cultural memories influence characters' perceptions, beliefs, and interactions, shaping their sense of self and societal integration. It highlights how suppressed memories, unresolved traumas, shared historical memories, and societal narratives contribute to identity formation. Characters in the novel navigate trauma, loss, and identity construction amidst cultural memory and spatial dislocation. The experiences of characters like Etsuko and Sachiko illustrate the crucial role of memory in shaping individual and collective identities. Recollections of traumatic events and struggles with guilt and grief emphasize the enduring influence of memory on personal identity formation. The study reveals the intricate interplay between personal and collective memory as depicted through Etsuko's reflections on past tragedies and societal contexts in the novel. It emphasizes how individual recollections and shared historical traumas intertwine, shaping characters' perceptions of self and society. Ishiguro's exploration of memory, trauma, and identity construction showcases the profound impact of memories on both personal and collective identities. The findings highlight the enduring influence of memory in shaping individual and cultural identity, demonstrating how the past continues to shape the present and influence personal and shared cultural histories.

کلیدواژه ها:

Kazuo Ishiguro ، Cultural Memory Theory ، Individual Identity ، Collective identity ، Trauma and loss ، Personal memories ، Social narratives