Memory is moments that are remembered from the past. Memories are past knowledge that someone has that can lead and guide them to a better future. The book, The Catcher in the Rye, can be considered a collection of moments Holden has had in the past. Throughout The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield tells the audience about his past experiences and actions that have lead him to where he currently is. "Hope, Despair, and Memory" by Elie Wiesel also discusses about memory. Eli Wiesel emphasizes the power of memory. He also expresses the contrast between good and bad memories and how both will benefit the future. J.D Salinger's excerpt from, The Catcher in the Rye, is focused on Holden Caulfield's perspective and outlook on life. The…show more content… This passage highlights that memory is a gift, and that it is important to be grateful for our past experiences. Wiesel uses long syntax to emphasize his perspective on memory. Wielsel's elongated syntax is also used to go more in-depth on his thoughts about this topic. In "Hope, Despair, and Memory", it states, "Without memory, our existence would be barren and opaque, like a prison cell... it is memory that will save humanity. For me, hope without memory is like memory without hope... Stripped of possessions, all human ties servered, the prisoners found themselves in a social and cultural void. 'Forget,' they were told". This quote is an example of Elie Wiesel's use of elongated syntax. This section of the passage means that our memories are what will save the future of our world. He mentions that the memory of significant events give people hope for the future. Without hope, our lives are hopeless and there is nothing worth living for. Wiesel also mentions that it is natural for people to want to "repress what causes him pain, what causes him shame" (Wiesel, 4). In paragraph 5, it states, "...forgetting was never an option. Remembering is noble and necessary act... It is incumbent upon us to remember the good we have received, and the evil we have suffered." This is another example of Eli Wiesel's lengthy syntax. This section of the "Hope, Despair, and Memory" means that it is not only important to remember the good moments, but it is also important to remember the bad moments that we have experienced. Good memories give people something to back on and hope to achieve again one day in the future. However, people's bad memories serve an significant purpose also well. Our bad memories allow us to see the contrast between the good and the bad. Without bad experiences, people will never know the difference between good and bad. Also, bad memories allow people to
