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The Influence of Memories on Selfhood

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Memories generate a breakdown of an individual’s selfhood. In addition, memories embody unmistakable repercussions on the self. In the book Mind readings an Anthology for Writers by Gary Colombo, there are several essays that reveal how memories evoke individuals to doubt their ideas of selfhood. “The Inheritance of Tools” by Scott Russell Sanders, Sanders writes concerning his father’s passing and the strategies that he implements to survive his grief. “The Brown Wasps” by Loren Eiseley, Eiseley demonstrates why individuals conjure up memories in their imagination, his only reliable guide of happiness. Individuals hold fast to memories that take a lifetime to fabricate. “The Self and Society: Changes, Problems, and Opportunities” by Roy F. Baumeister makes use of many labels to justify selfhood. Baumeister examines the history of selfhood. The essays by Sanders, Eiseley, and Baumeister illustrate that situations shape unpredictable sets of memories that promote anxiety, and characterizes the selfhood. Memories and individual’s selfhood connect the past and present bringing about a paradox inspiring individuals to feel sane or manic. Frequently memories are simply figments of the imagination. In addition, in life, individuals have conflicts of his or her “inner self” resulting in a collision of the selfhood.

Circumstances activate automatic sets of memories amplifying anxiety that distinguishes the selfhood. Sanders’ while grieving, his father’s death, instigates a flood of memories he must handle. Sanders while in the midst of building a wall in his basement hears the news about his father. Sanders recalls hitting his thumb and cursing at the hammer as if it deliberately smashed his thumb. The significance of the hammer and th...

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...e, individuals battle their “inner self”. Memories generate a divide in an individual’s selfhood. Furthermore, memories leave strong impressions on the self. Memories cause individuals to experience reservation of their judgment. These conflicts are life changing or devastating to an individual’s selfhood.

Works Cited

Baumeister, Roy F. "The Self and Society: Changes, Problems, and Opportunities." Mind Readings an Anthology for Writers. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2002. 320-36. Print.

Colombo, Gary. Mind Readings: an Anthology for Writers. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2002. Print.

Eiseley, Loren. "The Brown Wasp." Mind Readings an Anthology for Writers. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2002. 150-57. Print.

Sanders, Scott R. "The Inheritance of Tools”. Mind Readings: an Anthology for Writers. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2002. 142-49. Print.
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