How does Leonard in “Memento” remember reading and writing?
I was watching this masterpiece Memento, but one question that stuck in my mind is how does Leonard remember reading and writing? He was suffering from short term memory loss and if reading and writing was in his permanent memory then why didn't he remember his name? His name must be in permanent memory too.
plot-explanation memento
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I was watching this masterpiece Memento, but one question that stuck in my mind is how does Leonard remember reading and writing? He was suffering from short term memory loss and if reading and writing was in his permanent memory then why didn't he remember his name? His name must be in permanent memory too.
plot-explanation memento
New contributor
4
Technically, he did not lose his memory; he lost the ability to form new memories.
– chepner
4 hours ago
@chepner: Technically nothing, that is the answer to the question.
– Kevin
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I was watching this masterpiece Memento, but one question that stuck in my mind is how does Leonard remember reading and writing? He was suffering from short term memory loss and if reading and writing was in his permanent memory then why didn't he remember his name? His name must be in permanent memory too.
plot-explanation memento
New contributor
I was watching this masterpiece Memento, but one question that stuck in my mind is how does Leonard remember reading and writing? He was suffering from short term memory loss and if reading and writing was in his permanent memory then why didn't he remember his name? His name must be in permanent memory too.
plot-explanation memento
plot-explanation memento
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New contributor
edited 4 hours ago
Darren
2,1661222
2,1661222
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asked 7 hours ago
umer arifumer arif
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262
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4
Technically, he did not lose his memory; he lost the ability to form new memories.
– chepner
4 hours ago
@chepner: Technically nothing, that is the answer to the question.
– Kevin
2 hours ago
add a comment |
4
Technically, he did not lose his memory; he lost the ability to form new memories.
– chepner
4 hours ago
@chepner: Technically nothing, that is the answer to the question.
– Kevin
2 hours ago
4
4
Technically, he did not lose his memory; he lost the ability to form new memories.
– chepner
4 hours ago
Technically, he did not lose his memory; he lost the ability to form new memories.
– chepner
4 hours ago
@chepner: Technically nothing, that is the answer to the question.
– Kevin
2 hours ago
@chepner: Technically nothing, that is the answer to the question.
– Kevin
2 hours ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
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Remembering skills is different from remembering facts, and memory is very complex.
Forgetting your name is different from forgetting language. For example someone suffering from amnesia might forget whether they like the taste of an apple, but they know what an apple is.
If you argue that Leonard would forget reading and writing because he learned those skills a long time ago, why wouldn't he forget all language, including spoken? Wouldn't he regress to the mental state of a baby? No. His memory of events and facts is different from his understanding of language.
For more reading, see this article on language memory and amnesiacs.
Besides, as others have pointed out, he can actually remember everything from before a certain point, so the premise of the question is flawed. That said you can't make hard rules about memory and say it's a 'plot mistake' if they are broken. Memory is complex.
I feel like an in-story answer would be better.
– Todd Wilcox
3 hours ago
And in fact, this was significant plot point: a person with the main character's condition can subconsciously associate particular shapes with being shocked, even if they don't form conscious memories of being shocked.
– Acccumulation
2 hours ago
This is incorrect. He remembers everything before the incident, including his name.
– MooseBoys
2 hours ago
1
@MooseBoys ... I was answering a question that asked why he could not read if he could not remember his name. The general point stands however - you cant make simplistic rules about memory. I've edited my answer to make that point.
– iandotkelly♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
This question is built on a false premise.
At no point does Leonard forget his own name. One of the first lines spoken is Teddy calling him “Lenny”, to which Leonard responds “it’s Leonard”:
(Ignore the weird doodle).
All he forgets are events that happened after his attack.
add a comment |
He says it himself several times in the movie: "I can't form new memories." His condition doesn't cause him to forget what happened before his brain was damaged, it only prevents him from forming new memories.
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Remembering skills is different from remembering facts, and memory is very complex.
Forgetting your name is different from forgetting language. For example someone suffering from amnesia might forget whether they like the taste of an apple, but they know what an apple is.
If you argue that Leonard would forget reading and writing because he learned those skills a long time ago, why wouldn't he forget all language, including spoken? Wouldn't he regress to the mental state of a baby? No. His memory of events and facts is different from his understanding of language.
For more reading, see this article on language memory and amnesiacs.
Besides, as others have pointed out, he can actually remember everything from before a certain point, so the premise of the question is flawed. That said you can't make hard rules about memory and say it's a 'plot mistake' if they are broken. Memory is complex.
I feel like an in-story answer would be better.
– Todd Wilcox
3 hours ago
And in fact, this was significant plot point: a person with the main character's condition can subconsciously associate particular shapes with being shocked, even if they don't form conscious memories of being shocked.
– Acccumulation
2 hours ago
This is incorrect. He remembers everything before the incident, including his name.
– MooseBoys
2 hours ago
1
@MooseBoys ... I was answering a question that asked why he could not read if he could not remember his name. The general point stands however - you cant make simplistic rules about memory. I've edited my answer to make that point.
– iandotkelly♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Remembering skills is different from remembering facts, and memory is very complex.
Forgetting your name is different from forgetting language. For example someone suffering from amnesia might forget whether they like the taste of an apple, but they know what an apple is.
If you argue that Leonard would forget reading and writing because he learned those skills a long time ago, why wouldn't he forget all language, including spoken? Wouldn't he regress to the mental state of a baby? No. His memory of events and facts is different from his understanding of language.
For more reading, see this article on language memory and amnesiacs.
Besides, as others have pointed out, he can actually remember everything from before a certain point, so the premise of the question is flawed. That said you can't make hard rules about memory and say it's a 'plot mistake' if they are broken. Memory is complex.
I feel like an in-story answer would be better.
– Todd Wilcox
3 hours ago
And in fact, this was significant plot point: a person with the main character's condition can subconsciously associate particular shapes with being shocked, even if they don't form conscious memories of being shocked.
– Acccumulation
2 hours ago
This is incorrect. He remembers everything before the incident, including his name.
– MooseBoys
2 hours ago
1
@MooseBoys ... I was answering a question that asked why he could not read if he could not remember his name. The general point stands however - you cant make simplistic rules about memory. I've edited my answer to make that point.
– iandotkelly♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Remembering skills is different from remembering facts, and memory is very complex.
Forgetting your name is different from forgetting language. For example someone suffering from amnesia might forget whether they like the taste of an apple, but they know what an apple is.
If you argue that Leonard would forget reading and writing because he learned those skills a long time ago, why wouldn't he forget all language, including spoken? Wouldn't he regress to the mental state of a baby? No. His memory of events and facts is different from his understanding of language.
For more reading, see this article on language memory and amnesiacs.
Besides, as others have pointed out, he can actually remember everything from before a certain point, so the premise of the question is flawed. That said you can't make hard rules about memory and say it's a 'plot mistake' if they are broken. Memory is complex.
Remembering skills is different from remembering facts, and memory is very complex.
Forgetting your name is different from forgetting language. For example someone suffering from amnesia might forget whether they like the taste of an apple, but they know what an apple is.
If you argue that Leonard would forget reading and writing because he learned those skills a long time ago, why wouldn't he forget all language, including spoken? Wouldn't he regress to the mental state of a baby? No. His memory of events and facts is different from his understanding of language.
For more reading, see this article on language memory and amnesiacs.
Besides, as others have pointed out, he can actually remember everything from before a certain point, so the premise of the question is flawed. That said you can't make hard rules about memory and say it's a 'plot mistake' if they are broken. Memory is complex.
edited 1 hour ago
answered 6 hours ago
iandotkelly♦iandotkelly
35.6k8142165
35.6k8142165
I feel like an in-story answer would be better.
– Todd Wilcox
3 hours ago
And in fact, this was significant plot point: a person with the main character's condition can subconsciously associate particular shapes with being shocked, even if they don't form conscious memories of being shocked.
– Acccumulation
2 hours ago
This is incorrect. He remembers everything before the incident, including his name.
– MooseBoys
2 hours ago
1
@MooseBoys ... I was answering a question that asked why he could not read if he could not remember his name. The general point stands however - you cant make simplistic rules about memory. I've edited my answer to make that point.
– iandotkelly♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
I feel like an in-story answer would be better.
– Todd Wilcox
3 hours ago
And in fact, this was significant plot point: a person with the main character's condition can subconsciously associate particular shapes with being shocked, even if they don't form conscious memories of being shocked.
– Acccumulation
2 hours ago
This is incorrect. He remembers everything before the incident, including his name.
– MooseBoys
2 hours ago
1
@MooseBoys ... I was answering a question that asked why he could not read if he could not remember his name. The general point stands however - you cant make simplistic rules about memory. I've edited my answer to make that point.
– iandotkelly♦
1 hour ago
I feel like an in-story answer would be better.
– Todd Wilcox
3 hours ago
I feel like an in-story answer would be better.
– Todd Wilcox
3 hours ago
And in fact, this was significant plot point: a person with the main character's condition can subconsciously associate particular shapes with being shocked, even if they don't form conscious memories of being shocked.
– Acccumulation
2 hours ago
And in fact, this was significant plot point: a person with the main character's condition can subconsciously associate particular shapes with being shocked, even if they don't form conscious memories of being shocked.
– Acccumulation
2 hours ago
This is incorrect. He remembers everything before the incident, including his name.
– MooseBoys
2 hours ago
This is incorrect. He remembers everything before the incident, including his name.
– MooseBoys
2 hours ago
1
1
@MooseBoys ... I was answering a question that asked why he could not read if he could not remember his name. The general point stands however - you cant make simplistic rules about memory. I've edited my answer to make that point.
– iandotkelly♦
1 hour ago
@MooseBoys ... I was answering a question that asked why he could not read if he could not remember his name. The general point stands however - you cant make simplistic rules about memory. I've edited my answer to make that point.
– iandotkelly♦
1 hour ago
add a comment |
This question is built on a false premise.
At no point does Leonard forget his own name. One of the first lines spoken is Teddy calling him “Lenny”, to which Leonard responds “it’s Leonard”:
(Ignore the weird doodle).
All he forgets are events that happened after his attack.
add a comment |
This question is built on a false premise.
At no point does Leonard forget his own name. One of the first lines spoken is Teddy calling him “Lenny”, to which Leonard responds “it’s Leonard”:
(Ignore the weird doodle).
All he forgets are events that happened after his attack.
add a comment |
This question is built on a false premise.
At no point does Leonard forget his own name. One of the first lines spoken is Teddy calling him “Lenny”, to which Leonard responds “it’s Leonard”:
(Ignore the weird doodle).
All he forgets are events that happened after his attack.
This question is built on a false premise.
At no point does Leonard forget his own name. One of the first lines spoken is Teddy calling him “Lenny”, to which Leonard responds “it’s Leonard”:
(Ignore the weird doodle).
All he forgets are events that happened after his attack.
answered 4 hours ago
DarrenDarren
2,1661222
2,1661222
add a comment |
add a comment |
He says it himself several times in the movie: "I can't form new memories." His condition doesn't cause him to forget what happened before his brain was damaged, it only prevents him from forming new memories.
add a comment |
He says it himself several times in the movie: "I can't form new memories." His condition doesn't cause him to forget what happened before his brain was damaged, it only prevents him from forming new memories.
add a comment |
He says it himself several times in the movie: "I can't form new memories." His condition doesn't cause him to forget what happened before his brain was damaged, it only prevents him from forming new memories.
He says it himself several times in the movie: "I can't form new memories." His condition doesn't cause him to forget what happened before his brain was damaged, it only prevents him from forming new memories.
answered 3 hours ago
Todd WilcoxTodd Wilcox
6,15312034
6,15312034
add a comment |
add a comment |
4
Technically, he did not lose his memory; he lost the ability to form new memories.
– chepner
4 hours ago
@chepner: Technically nothing, that is the answer to the question.
– Kevin
2 hours ago