It really isn't that surprising that a group of people living on an old, decaying plantation might be just a little bit obsessed with the past. Their glory days are long behind them; in fact, they probably passed before this generation was born. Family history is palpable, with passed-down memories assigned to almost every piece of furniture in every room. Living in such a heavy environment takes a toll on the characters, who don't really seem too concerned about the future. It's all about looking back in Other Voices, Other Rooms.
Questions About Memory and the Past
- Why do you think that Joel likes collecting souvenirs so much?
- Do you believe Randolph's story of how he met Ed Sansom? Why or why not?
- How does Joel connect with his old life in New Orleans? What does it mean that he leaves his old self behind at the end of the novel?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The novel's characters are preoccupied with the past, just as the South in this novel is preoccupied with its glory days before the Civil War.
Memory is not trustworthy in Other Voices, Other Rooms.