Proust
← Book Critique: Reviving Evangelical Ethics | Jane Eyre → |
Marcel Proust is best known for his novel “Remembrance of Things Past,” which was an exemplary work of literature in the 20th century. At one point in this novel, the narrator reflects on his childhood memories. These memories are triggered when the narrator dips a petite Madeleine into a cup of tea; the scent and taste of the cookie awakens the memories of his childhood (Fraser 36). What makes the passage so famous is the theme employed. It brings out another perspective of existence that shows how time is infinite, while memory is limited to the events that shape our lives. Conscious and intellect could not capture the past memories, but the scent and taste of the cookie unleashed most of the memories.
In his book, “Proust Was a Neuroscientist,” Jonah Lehrer writes, “our senses of smell and taste are in one way sentimental. This is because taste and smell are the main senses that connect to the hippocampus which is the centre of the brain’s long-term memory.” Lehrer continues to say that looking at the cookie brought back nothing; it was the smell and taste that brought back the memories of childhood. I think the narrators memories do flood back but not in a vivid way that enables him remember every detail. One can recall a lot of things in our childhood, but not every memory is detailed enough. It is those moments that touched our lives that we remember the most. This is because our memory is continuous and always in a state of change due to activities we engage in our lifetime (Proust 26).
Proust’s work is concerned with the contrast of limited human memory against unlimited time. The theme helps us to assess the extent of our own memories to the perpetual expanse of time and space surrounding them. Proust’s work involves deliberation over the extent to which we can comprehend the past and be able to present it via language and to the degree we can remember ourselves and others (Proust 26). According to Proust, language is something active, non static, continuous, just as the self is something constantly transforming and only resembles continuity. A person can be defined only by the extent to which he/she exists in the terrestrial world; a person is also capable of expeditions outside of time. This is made possible by the so called ‘involuntary memory’, which, as Proust notes, is ‘extra-temporal’ and can be engulfed within the work of an art.
As Proust points out, memory of humans is an isolated area in an unlimited universe, against which it cannot account itself. On the other hand, a work of art is created to show something that is outside of time. This is because all works have “an identical beauty they bring into the world”. He feels that the only way of rediscovering lost time is through the work of art. Hence for Proust, art is not only “a way of surpassing time” but also “a way of perceiving reality” (Fraser 48).
I think the unique feature about memory is that not all memories are as vibrant as one another; some of us can clearly remember some events in the past, while others cannot recall the similar events. The clarity of remembrance also differs from one individual to the other. Some even momentarily lose memory of things that happened a while ago. So it's usually possible to remember with superb clarity a moment that occurred to us in the past, while the whole of last month seems lost in a kind of darkness. The way our minds store information regarding the activities we engage in is somehow strange. One of the things that Proust wonderfully brings out is that we can at one point come across something that reminds us of our past. That thing can be a smell that we grew around smelling or a taste that is familiar with our childhood days.
- Jane Eyre
- Edgar Allan Poe: Too Short a Story
- Book Critique: Reviving Evangelical Ethics
- “The Necklace”
![]() |
Delaine A.
Taos, NM
|
|
I had a question about the pricing. As I glanced through the EssaysEmpire.com website, I noticed that they were offering a lot for not all that much money. I spoke to a customer service person and she told me that the prices I saw on the website were accurate. Therefore, I ordered my first paper, not expecting all that much. What I got back was a brilliantly written essay that earned an A+ mark! Wow! I am impressed! |
![]() |
Ohjasi O.
Tokyo, JP
|
|
The essay that your writers turned out for me far exceeded what I was expecting. It even came with a plagiarism report to prove that it was original. The customer service center was the picture of perfection, too. I loved everything about using EssaysEmpire.com and plan to use your services again. You are one class act! |
![]() |
Phil E.
South Hadley, MA
|
|
So often, when one deals with customer service, he or she is treated rudely. That was not the case with EssaysEmpire.com. The agents were helpful and friendly, knowledable and concerned. I, for one, was astounded with their competence. When it came down to the actual written material that I ordered, it was much better than I had anticipated. There are clearly some expert writers who work for EssaysEmpire.com. I would rate this writing service as exceptional, 5 stars out of 5 stars. I will happily return when I need help with another written work. |
![]() |
Greg C.
Atlanta, GA
|
|
Your writing service is phenomenal. I love the fact that EssaysEmpire.com is even open on Christmas day. You never close, and that tells me that you are dedicated to students like me who might need help over the holidays or any time. The work you do is superior to that of other writing services. I’d say that overall, one simply can’t beat EssaysEmpire.com. Thanks for all that you do for students like me. |
![]() |
Cleo C.
Wichita, KS
|
|
To the writers at EssaysEmpire.com: Next week, I will be graduating with a degree in clinical psychology. Over the course of my college years, I have had to turn to you for help many times. Each and every time, you produced some of the highest quality writing my professors had ever seen. Because of you, I was able to keep a high grade point average and get into an excellent grad school. There are simply no words adequate enough to fully express my appreciation, so I’ll simply say, “thank you” and let it go at that. Please know that you are appreciated. |
![]() |
Celine H.
Calistoga, CA
|
|
Thanks for doing a great job on a paper that was an important part of my semester. You guys rock! |
![]() |
Kyle N.
Tempe, AZ
|
|
Dear Sirs: I have just placed my third order from EssaysEmpire.com this term. I feel confident that my paper will be written on time and that the quality of it will be out of the ballpark. The first two papers I ordered from you got A+ marks, and I know this one will, too. It is so great to be able to sit back and concern myself with my reading and exams while you do the difficult writing projects for me. That is really great. You guys are a class act! |
![]() |
Glen M.
Oakland, CA
|
|
Your writers are awesome! I got an A and two A+’s on the papers that they wrote for me! |
![]() |
Terry M.
Sparta, NJ
|
|
I got an A+ on the paper that you guys wrote for me. I can’t believe it! THANKS!!!! Many, many thanks! This A+ added those few extra points that I needed to stay on the Dean’s Honor List. You’re the greatest, EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Sylvia B.
Lakeview, MA
|
|
Your writers did an excellent job writing my four papers last semester. I don’t think I could have possibly made it through the semester without any help of EssaysEmpire.com. I deeply appreciate the help |
![]() |
Bruce B.
Purcell, OK
|
|
I had a hard time articulating what my professor wanted, so I was able to speak straight to my writer. After I had explained a little bit, I could tell he understood everything. He then took the ball and ran with it, so to speak. He wrote my paper in two days and it was the picture of perfection! I am very grateful that he knew what to do and how to do it so perfectly. |
![]() |
Tricia A.
Calabasas, CA
|
|
Thanks for everything. I like your writing service a lot. Your staff is friendly and they’re always open. The papers that you’ve written for me have been very good. |
![]() |
Lonnie K.
Falcon Crest, MA
|
|
I work very long hours. Therefore, I sometimes run behind in my school assignments. This is especially true for the long written assignments. It is so great to know that I can always count on EssaysEmpire.com to help me out. The papers that I buy from you are excellent, without fail. I really appreciate your help . Thanks for everything. |
![]() |
Pete F.
Sparta, NJ
|
|
Dear EssaysEmpire.com, I have never used a writing service like yours before. None of the ones I have tried previously offered the kind of guarantees that you offer. I even bought a paper that was plagiarized once. I never have to worry about things like that with EssaysEmpire.com! Thanks a million! |
![]() |
Jeff M.
Baltimore, MD
|
|
I would like to commend your excellent writers for a job well done. They followed my directions to a tee. Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com for being who you are and for doing what you do. There is no better writing service anywhere. |
![]() |
Stephanie K.
Stowe, VT
|
|
Dear Sirs: Just a quick note to let you know that I appreciate your working on my paper so quickly. I did get it in time to turn it in for the deadline, even though I hadn’t given you much notice. I made a very good grade on it and was much relieved. Thanks again. You rock. |
![]() |
Barry M.
Seattle, WA.
|
|
BRAVO! EssaysEmpire.com has done it again. I have just received another A+ for an EssaysEmpire.com paper! Thanks!Thanks! |
![]() |
Steve C.
Marion, NE
|
|
Thank you so much! I was assigned a paper that I found impossible to write. I did the reading. I did the research. However, regardless of my weak attempts, I could not formulate a cogent paper. I needed help, and EssaysEmpire.com’s writers were there for me. Customer service even arranged for me to speak with the person who was working on my paper personally. I had a lot of concerns, because my professor was very picky. However, EssaysEmpire.com was able to handle the order with no problem |
![]() |
Shirley R.
Casper, WY
|
|
I would be honored to recommend your writing service to all of my friends. I don’t usually recommend anything unless I truly believe it to be a good thing. EssaysEmpire.com is a good thing! |
![]() |
Hannah B.
Tulsa, OK
|
|
I am happy. I am happy because I got an A+ on my research paper. I did this by hiring the professional writers at EssaysEmpire.com to write it for me. It was everything I had hoped it would be. Thanks, EssaysEmpire.com! |