Relationship Between Memory And History In The Go Between By L. P. Hartley

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In the prologue of The Go Between how does L.P Hartley present the relationship between memory and history?

The first line of the novel illustrates how Hartley intertwines history and memory through his writing. “The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.”. The paradoxical introduction, can be read in a literal sense, suggesting that the past, like a foreign country has different customs to the present day. However, Hartley’s use of ‘do’ used within the present tense juxtaposes the mention of the past. Through the use of language Hartley places the past in a present context, which suggests that elements of the past still exist within the present, contradictory to literal meaning derived from the sentence. This is further illustrated through the forbidden relationship of Marian and Ted and the stigma placed on romantic relationships between different social classes. Despite Marian and Ted’s unconditional love for each other, the era in which they live in, denounces their love based on the cultural and historical, unwritten rules. Although the relationship cannot exist within the early twentieth century, the strong emotions still remain and the couple’s feelings and love for each other would be prevalent during any period of time, past, present or future. …show more content…
In the present an elderly Leo is nostalgic about his youth, whereas young Leo curiously experiences nostalgia in reverse as he longs for the opportunities that the twentieth-century will offer him. Leo neglects present as is evident when he contemplates the conversation he would have with his twelve year old self (OLD DUSTY BOOKS N
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