Rememory

Rememory is a neologism coined by Toni Morrison and prominently featured in her novel Beloved (1987). It refers to the involuntary and often traumatic act of remembering experiences from the past, particularly those deeply suppressed or unconsciously absorbed from others. Unlike conscious recollection, rememory suggests a haunting, persistent, and embodied form of memory that intrudes upon the present.

Key characteristics of rememory include:

• Involuntariness: It's not actively sought; rather, it forces itself upon the individual.
• Traumatic nature: The memories are often tied to painful or violent events, specifically the horrors of slavery in the context of Beloved.
• Collective dimension: Rememory can encompass the memories of others, even those not directly experienced by the individual. It suggests a shared historical trauma imprinted on a community.
• Physical manifestation: The memories are not simply mental images but can manifest as physical sensations, emotions, and even apparitions, blurring the lines between the past and present.
• Intrusion and persistence: Rememory is not easily dismissed; it recurs and exerts a powerful influence on the lives of those who experience it.

In Beloved, rememory is presented as a mechanism through which the trauma of slavery is transmitted across generations. It highlights the enduring legacy of slavery and its ongoing impact on the psychological and emotional well-being of individuals and communities. While originating within a specific historical and literary context, the concept of rememory has resonated beyond Beloved and is now used to discuss intergenerational trauma and the ways in which the past continues to shape the present.