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Time passes and memories will be the only things we will own when we get older. These memories can make us relive the moments of the past and have the same feelings as we once had. Both the poem and the excerpt from the memoir can bring back old memories. At first glance, “Mrs. Caldera’s House of Things” is only a description of the house. The author spends a sufficient amount of time describing Mrs. Caldera’s possessions that the real meaning can be easily overlooked. However, each item mentioned in the poem can provide information about the woman’s life. Mrs. Caldera’s hands “have held babies, a husband, tractor parts and gas tanks,” meaning that the woman has used the described items (Djanikian). Her life has been adventurous and multifaceted, and the things she keeps remind her of these events. She is content with her life and can only enjoy remembering the life she has lived. Djanikian uses symbolism throughout the poem to deliver the central idea. For instance, by saying, “And whatever enters, remains:” he speaks of not only the things but also the memories (Djanikian). In other words, all events in Mrs. Caldera’s life will be remembered by her, and the items she owns will facilitate these memories.
Jon Fisher’s excerpt has the same central idea – items we own help us not forget the past. In some cases, only thinking about the items may help revive the memories. This idea is supported by the author in the sentence, “I haven’t seen my watch for twenty years, but I still hear that buzz” (Fisher 61). Although the author does not have the watch anymore, only thinking of this watch brings back all associated memories. Therefore, things that we had and have in life often connect us to memorable events. For instance, Fisher thinks of his bar mitzvah when he reminisces his watch. The author emphasizes the significance of remembering – he uses the word “afterlife” to refer to his memories (Fisher 61). In other words, items we own are not only of practical use. They also play the metaphysical role of facilitators – they are the keys to our afterlife. Fisher uses flashbacks throughout his essay to deliver the main idea of the writing. After mentioning each item, the author reminisces associated events that took place in the past. He speaks of bar mitzvah when thinking of the watch, and recalls his rides to school, his friend, and her father. The sentence “Her father would come out and wait with me, looking the Green Machine up and down and shaking his head” is an example of flashbacks used by the author (Fisher 62). The author spends much time remembering, and thinking of the items he owned helps him recall associated events.
The main topic of both literary texts is personal belongings and their relation to past life experiences. Djanikian describes Mrs. Caldera as a woman who is satisfied with her life and what has happened before. Her house is full of items that can be associated with positive moments of her life. While Fisher presents the same topic, he is nostalgic when describing his items. He constantly flashbacks as if he wants to return to his childhood and relive those moments once again.
Works Cited
Djanikian, Gregory. “Mrs. Caldera’s House of Things.”Poetry Foundation.
Fisher, Marshall Jon. “Memoria Ex Machina.” The Best American Essays 2003, edited by Anne Fadiman and Robert Atwan, Houghton Mifflin, 2003, pp. 61-66.
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