A Provision of Memories Stored up for Days to Come: A Ricœurian Reading of Joyce Carol Oates’s My Sister, My Love
A Provision of Memories Stored up for Days to Come: A Ricœurian Reading of Joyce Carol Oates’s My Sister, My Love

Summary/Abstract: Joyce Carol Oates’s My Sister, My Love is a fictional memoir inspired by the infamous murder of Jon-Benét Ramsey. The novel explores the psychological impact of trauma and the complexities of memory as theprotagonist, Skyler, grapples with the guilt of potentially being involved in his sister’s death. Through a Ricœurianlens, this paper examines how memory serves both as a tool for understanding and as a means of obscuring thepast. The analysis highlights the limitations of memory, its susceptibility to manipulation, and its role in shapingindividual narratives. Ultimately, My Sister, My Love presents a poignant exploration of the human psyche, theenduring impact of trauma, and the quest for meaning in the face of tragedy.

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