On memory construction and fictionalization
NGOI Guat Peng (Translated by SHOW Ying Xin)
Abstract As a response to Ashis Nandy's article about the memory work, this article argues that memories are closely linked to recognition, identity and historical construction while closely connected with local discourse based on post-colonial experiences. In some cases, the construction of memory involves mythical images. The article also addresses the tension between history construction and fictionalization, trying to indicate that some forbidden memory such as those about revolution can be reconstructed in literary writing.
KEYWORDS: Memory work, memories of violence, fictional narrative, local discourse
Author’s biography
Ngoi Guat Peng 魏月萍 is Assistant Professor at the Division of Chinese, School of Humanities of Social Sciences of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She received her PhD degree from the School of Arts and Social Sciences at National University of Singapore. She is currently a researcher of the Inter-Asia School, and her research interest includes Chinese Intellectual History, Neo-Confucianism, and Religion Syncretism. She is also concerned about the knowledge production in Malaysian history, the literature and culture.
Translator’s biography
Show Ying Xin 蘇穎欣 is PhD Candidate at the School of Humanities of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She received her BA in Foreign Languages and Literature from National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan. Her areas of interest include Modern Chinese and Sinophone literature, Anglophone literature, cultural criticisms, Asian thoughts and Southeast Asian studies.