Confrontation of Memory and Melancholy in Kazuo Ishiguro’s When We Were Orphans: Christopher Banks, An epitome of Erikson’s Theory of Psycho-social development

Abstract

This paper traces the narrative representations of nostalgia and melancholy in Kazuo  Ishiguro’s novel When We Were Orphans (2000).  When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro shows the power of nostalgia as a touchstone in a violent world even though it may seem pointless. And even if melancholy may seem unchanging or destructive, this literature reveals its capacity for activity and productivity. For decades, Christopher Banks has been driven to locate his parents. One can see the foolishness of his search for them and the lack of control he has over either his surroundings or his story. The article highlights about the narratives one can create about themselves and their life must always be incomplete because true mastery over one's world is exceptional. These modalities can actually inspire a manner of living that incorporates a strong ethical commitment and loyalty to justice in a life torn apart by loss. Ishiguro demonstrates how missing something may be a greater impact than just foolish or pointless, and how melancholy attachment can be more than just selfish or self-destructive. While Ishiguro concedes that nostalgia can be risky, he also shows how it can be a starting point for fantasising about a future that is better than the one we currently live in.