Looking Back to the Future
Date of Presentation
7-2008
Name of Conference
25th International Conference on Literature and Psychology
Date of Conference
7-2008
Location of Conference
Lisbon, Portugal
Document Type
Conference Presentation
Department
Modern Languages and Literatures
Abstract
This article will examine memory as it differs in the case of male and female characters in literature. I hope to show that forgetting-- manifested in refusing to look or see what is behind/ in the past-- is the male's arena, and remembering--looking backwards-- belongs to the female. The archetypal forms of male forgetting and female remembering will be examined in mythological and biblical archetypes and scientific research on differences in male and female memory processing will also be presented to show parallel between the literary male and female roles. The case of Orpheus is of particular importance because he may seem like an exception to the rule of male forgetfulness, since he does in fact look back. I will argue, however, that the circumstances of his backward gaze preclude him from being the exception, and he is also in fact another male who cannot look back.
Recommended Citation
Kupper, Nelly. Looking Back to the Future. The 25th International Conference on Literature and Psychology. Lisbon, Portugal. 2008, July.