How Societies Remember

Presented bySharon Kalman, Sacha

Page andJennifer Stevenson

About the AuthorAbout the Author

“How Societies Remember” by Paul Connerton published 1989.Dr Paul Connerton, a sociologist, teaches in the department of Social Anthropology at Cambridge University.Fellow of the Institute of Romance Studies at London College

Social Memory – Social Memory – TerminologyTerminology

RecollectionHistorical ReconstructionSocial MemoryPersonal Memory Cognitive MemoryPerformative ActionsHabit MemoryForgettingSocial Persistence

Social MemorySocial Memory

Using Halbwachs as a starting point he asserts that memory is a socially constructed phenomena.Counters notions of memory that are purely psychological or purely constructed by social narrative.Instead argues that memory is embodied in social practice. “Habit Memory” is primarily expressed in actual body or physical movements of people and in ritual performance.

Social Memory (continued)Social Memory (continued)Social memory causes an inertia in social structures.

An important part of understanding social structures and identity is an examination of habit, bodily practices and ritual.

People create notions of themselves as they relate to their world and others in their society

These interactions are at the base of identity creation and maintenance.

Connerton’s Intellectual Connerton’s Intellectual AntecedentsAntecedents

Maurice Halbwachs “La Memoire Collective”

Z. Bauman “Memories of Class”

P. Nora “Les lieux de la memoire”

D. Lowenthal “The Past is a foreign country”

““How Societies Remember” How Societies Remember” It’s ReceptionIt’s Reception

Very well received, not only in Memory Studies but also in the broad disciplinary fields of history, sociology and anthropology. His interpretations of social memory used in many interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary studies .Main criticisms are that his theory portrays social structures as too static and inert. Also his claim that his perspective is a “new” way to understand social memory, is not quite accurate because many anthropologists studied “bodily practices”.

Commemorative Commemorative CeremoniesCeremonies

RitualRitual

RitualRule-governed activity of a symbolic character which draws the attention of its participants to objects of thought and feeling which they hold to be of special significance.

Defined by Steven Lukesand adhered to by

Connerton

Ritual1. The prescribed order of a

religious ceremonyAmerican Heritage Dictionary

2. The prescribed form of conducting a formal secular ceremony

American Heritage Dictionary 3. Any act or practice regularly

repeated in a set precise manner for relief of anxiety Merriam-Webster medical dictionary

Ritual (continued)Ritual (continued)

RitesRitesFormalized acts that tend to be stylized, stereotyped, and repetitive. They are not spontaneous and are deliberately observed to denote feelings. (Dictionary definition: A ceremonial act established by law or custom)

Hitler Youth march

Christian Confirmation

ReligionReligion

Abraham

Jesus

Mosque

History=identity=History=identity=continuity=commemorationcontinuity=commemoration

Passover Seder

Pilgrimage to Mecca The Crucifixion (el Greco)

Modern Invented RitesModern Invented Rites

Bastille Day

Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Jubilee Day

CalendricalCalendrical

Jewish New Year

Chinese New Year

New Year’s Eve: Times Square

VerbalVerbal

Hebrew

Latin`

Sanskrit Arabic

GesturalGestural

Bodily PracticesBodily Practices

Incorporating PracticesIncorporating Practices

Information is taken from the action and interpreted based on various factors such as culture, religion or race.

Living models help us learn these practices and the meaning is just understood but never directly discussed.

Inscribing PracticesInscribing Practices

Ways to provide information even after the informing system has stopped providing information. These must be taught in steps and explained in order to be understood but once they are understood they are with us forever. An example of this is learning the alphabet.

What type of practice do you think What type of practice do you think this is? When do we shake hands?this is? When do we shake hands?

What type of practice is What type of practice is this?this?

The overlap between The overlap between practicespractices

There is an overlap between incorporating practices and inscribing practices.Connerton claims that although the overlap exists there will always be a dominating factor.

Gestures can also beGestures can also beReferential which means that it refers to means of a sign. (cultural)Notational which means that it provides support for the content of the conversation. (transcends culture)

More signs. What do each of these More signs. What do each of these mean ? how did you learn their mean ? how did you learn their meanings?meanings?

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Words, images & bodily practices help us preserve the past.We are writing in an alphabet that is centuries old.We view artifacts that are centuries old.We are performing simple actions that have been done for centuries.Everything we do connects us to the past whether we realize it or not.