Briony has a pretty messed up memory for a young girl. Really, how many kids struggle to remember the events of the past three years? In Chime though, our main girl's memories of the past have been manipulated and confused by a truly evil stepmother, and because of this, nothing our narrator tells us about the past can be trusted. Though she may be convinced that she is the only one who knows the truth, Briony's false memories cause her to believe in a reality that makes everything more difficult for her and for her family.
Questions About Memories and The Past
- What clues are present throughout the novel that suggest Briony's memories might not all be real?
- How does Briony use her memories to isolate herself from those around her?
- How do Briony's suppressed memories cause her to misunderstand Cecil?
- How do the Old Ones' constant requests for Briony to make a story relate to the theme of memories?
Chew on This
The narrator's use of flashback gives the reader the illusion of greater understanding, while really confusing the truth about the past.
By convincing Briony not to talk about the past, Stepmother controls her memories even after she has died.