The Pathology of Memory: Manipulation and Blockage in Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day

Abstract

This paper examines the complex relationship between memory and identity in Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day through the lens of Paul Ricœur's philosophical framework on memory pathologies. The study analyzes how the protagonist Stevens employs two primary forms of memory distortion: manipulated memory, where painful experiences are selectively edited to maintain professional self-image, and blocked memory, where traumatic events are repressed through compulsive repetition of duty-bound behaviors. Through close textual analysis, this research demonstrates how Stevens' narrative serves not as genuine recollection but as a defensive mechanism that prevents authentic engagement with his emotional losses. The paper argues that Ishiguro's novel illustrates the fundamental vulnerability of memory when pressed into service of ideological commitment rather than personal truth, revealing the tragic consequences of using professional identity as a shield against psychological trauma.