Echoes of Memory and Identity: A Psychological and Theoretical Analysis of the Ripple Effect in Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day

Abstract

This paper explores the psychological and literary dimensions of Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day, focusing on how memory and past choices impact the protagonist’s identity. Utilising Freudian psychoanalysis, Jungian archetypes, and cognitive dissonance theory, the study delves into Stevens’s emotional suppression, internal conflicts, and gradual self-awareness. Additionally, narrative and postmodern literary theories are applied to analyse Ishiguro’s narrative style, revealing the protagonist’s selective and unreliable memory. This interdisciplinary approach demonstrates how Stevens’s recollections and repressed emotions create a ripple effect that shapes his identity and underscores the human experience of introspection and regret. The findings highlight the intricate interplay between memory and identity and the significance of psychological insights in literary analysis.