Exploration Of Identity:Memory Writing In Saul Bellow’s Ravelstein

Ravelstein,published in 2000,is the last novel written by Nobel Laureate Saul Bellow.The novel tells the story of Chick,a biographer,who writes a biography of his friend Ravelstein.Through Chick’s narration,readers not only understand the identity change of Ravelstein,but also clearly perceive that Chick realizes his own identity change in the process of writing a biography of Ravelstein.It is tightly woven with fascinating propositions of memory and identity.Based on it,the thesis is to explore the constructive relationship between cultural memory and the transmutation of Ravelstein’s and Chick’s Jewish identity from three aspects: the representation and causes of Ravelstein’s and Chick’s Jewish cultural memory loss,strategies for pursuing Jewish cultural memory,and reconstructing Jewish identity with the application of the memory theory of Jan Assmann and Aleida Assmann.The main body is divided into three chapters.The first chapter analyzes the representations and specific causes of memory forgetting when Ravelstein and Chick convert to the Anglo-Saxon culture.American Jews,represented by Ravelstein,choose to leave the Jewish community and accept a secular education in order to achieve a better situation for themselves,which means not only their spatial separation from the Jewish community,but also their spiritual separation from the Jewish culture,because accepting a secular education indicates accepting another set of liberal humanism that is in line with the mainstream society dominated by Anglo-Saxon Protestants.Although they have succeeded in a secular sense with this value system,they behaved in a way that is contrary to traditional Jewish culture.Thus,it can be said that all of their success has been achieved at the expense of forgetting Jewish cultural memory,as evidenced by their abandonment of the Jewish concept of marriage,their violation of the Jewish concept of consumption,and their disregard for the Holocaust.Chapter two demonstrates Ravelstein’ and Chick’s search for national identity by narrating Jewish cultural memory.The Jews,represented by Ravelstein,have improved their economic,political,cultural and social status,and therefore they believe they have moved from the margins of society to the center,realizing their dreams in the America that prides itself on freedom and equality.However,the hidden racism and anti-Semitism make Ravelstein and Chick painfully be aware of the illusory nature of the American Dream,so they are forced to re-examine their dilemma and decide to recover their lost Jewish cultural memories.By recounting the deeds of national heroes,recalling the suffering of the nation,and reinforcing the practice of rituals and holidays,they retrieve their Jewish cultural memory.Chapter three indicates Ravelstein’ and Chick’s construction of dual identity in bicultural context in Ravelstein.In their search for Jewish cultural memory,Ravelstein and Chick construct their Jewish identities.They develop a sense of Jewish ethnic vigilance through a review of the Jewish people’s troubled experiences.The practice of national holidays and religious rituals gives them a deep appreciation of the precious value of Jewish heritage.Ravelstein’ and Chick’s appeal to the idea that living Jews are remainders demonstrates a unique ethic.By virtue of their regained Jewish identity,they escape the identity dilemma in a multicultural society and cultivate a highly sensitive cultural awareness.The conclusion of the thesis summarizes Saul Bellow’s thinking on the dual cultural identity of American Jews and points out that inheriting Jewish cultural memory is the basis for American Jews to construct Jewish identity,emphasizing the internal connection between Jewish individuals and their own national culture.American Jews who forget the memory of Jewish culture will inevitably fall into the dilemma of identity,therefore,they should internalize Jewish culture as their own memory to construct their identity so as to get out of the identity problem of facing multiculturalism and racial discrimination.