Relações entre história nacional e memória em Os vestígios do dia (1989), de Kazuo Ishiguro

Abstract

The basis of this master’s thesis is Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day, published in 1989, and aims to analyze the relationship between national history and memory. For the purpose of developing this objective, the research begins with an overview of Ishiguro’s work, which has the purpose of examining his aesthetic and the recurring theme of memory throughout his narratives. Additionally, it is relevant to contextualize twentieth-century England, focusing on the key historical events of this period and the changes that have shaped society and literature. Complementing these discussions, this study also relies on the contributions of Cultural Studies and Memory Studies researchers. Therefore, authors discussing nation and nationalism (Anderson, 2008; Bhabha, 1990) and imperialism (Said, 2011) help understanding the development of national historical narratives, and, in England’s case, how these stories are supported by the country’s position as an established global power. Furthermore, the main ideas related to memory (Bergson, 1999; Le Goff, 2013; Ricoeur, 2007) are debated, perceiving the connections between collective and individual memory, highlighting its intersections, and approaching the notion of memory as a mental capacity also conditioned by social context. These considerations justify the examination of national history and memory as determining factors whilst analyzing the main character Stevens’ position in society. This investigation addresses how the ideals that resonate and support the concept of nation also mine his experience and influence the memory that he harbors of his country, and the personal memories that guide his journey.