Pat Barker's Memory Writing In Another World And Toby's Room

Through analyzing Pat Barker's Another World and Toby's Room with the help of memory theory and trauma theory,this thesis explores the values of memory on dealing with trauma and the historical value of Barker's memory writings.Firstly,this thesis analyzes the resistance of memory against the forgetting of trauma in Another World and Toby's Room.There are individual memories resisting against the forced forgetting of family trauma and collective memories combating against the forced forgetting of war trauma.By resisting against the forgetting of trauma,these individual and collective memories work as a reminder of the traumatic past,and by providing traumatic fragments of the past which were unknown to the public,the memories help restore and encourage for a more complete history.Besides,the thesis explores memories' role as attempted cure for the traumas in Another World and Toby's Room.By transforming the traumatic memories into narrative memories or normal memories that can be expressed through retelling,writing and painting,those who are traumatized by the family trauma and war trauma get relief and recovery from the traumas.In conclusion,this thesis argues that Barker's memory writings have a historical significance on the restoration of a more complete picture of history and on the healing of trauma that the society suffers from.She regards the traumatic memories as an indispensable part of the history and encourages that we should remember andwork through the traumatic history,only through which can we live well the present and have a bright future.