How Does Tristram’s Memory Affect His Recollection of Events?

How Does Tristram’s Memory Affect His Recollection of Events?

Quote 1:  “Notice that what is unusual to Augustine is not that Simplicius knew all of Virgil and much of Cicero, nor that he could manipulate these texts, but the degree to which he could do so – pulling single verses of Virgil out of context, composing commonplaces on any topic, running extensively backwards as well as forwards through various lengthy texts. The proof of a good memory… is the ability to move it about instantly, directly, and securely that is admired” (Carruthers, 22).

Quote 2: “No;- I cannot stop a moment to give you the character of the people – their genius- their manners – their customs – their laws – their religion – their government – their manufactures – their commerce – their finances, with all the resources and hidden springs which sustain them: qualified as I may be, by spending three days and two nights amongst them, and during all that time making these things the entire subject of my enquiries and reflections – “ (Sterne, C.3.CII)

            Throughout the novel Tristram Shandy, the narrator expresses his ability to remember life events vividly and it is no question that he can describe his experiences in great detail. In the first quote above, Simplicius did not only know all of the text of the Virgil, but could “pull things out of context, compose commonplaces on any topic, running extensively backwards as well as forwards…” Much like Simplicius, Tristram is able to describe his life story almost completely out of context by switching from one event to another and back again. Although it may be hard for the reader to follow the layout of the novel, perhaps it is written this way to show on paper how someone with a good memory may think. Many times Tristram will interrupt one story with another that has something to do with his original one, much like Simplicius “composing commonplaces on any topic.” The second quote is just one example of the great detail Tristram is able to remember. He states “as qualified as I may be…” showing that he is aware of the extent to which he can recall details of the French people and aware that it will take up too much time to go into everything he can remember (although at many times it seems he doesn’t have a problem with this). Also, the ability that Tristram has to choose what to elaborate on and what to disregard shows how well he is able to remember things. This shows that he remembers everything in great detail that he cannot even mention some stories of his life. In contrast, someone who did not have a good memory and remembered things vaguely could talk about all of their life events in the same amount of space, but not in as great detail as Tristram does.