‘Auto’ Is Not Automatic

Abstract

The stories in the last chapter are Opal’s reflections. In this book these stories will be interpreted through a lens of autobiographical memory. To do this it is important that we begin with an understanding of how autobiographical memory is envisaged within the dominant paradigms from memory studies because, as mentioned in the Introduction, a common language is essential to an interdisciplinary analysis if we are to be able to create meaningful engagement. Therefore, before proceeding with the analysis I will outline the framework for memory that is most generally accepted. A rigid, uncritical application of any scientific scheme such as this in cross-cultural research would be questionable and indeed through the course of this book many aspects of this paradigm will be problematized.

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined... to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories

George Eliot¹