How does Leonard in “Memento” remember reading and writing?












5















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.










share|improve this question









New contributor




umer arif is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 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
















5















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.










share|improve this question









New contributor




umer arif is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 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














5












5








5


0






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.










share|improve this question









New contributor




umer arif is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












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






share|improve this question









New contributor




umer arif is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




umer arif is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 5 hours ago









Darren

2,1661222




2,1661222






New contributor




umer arif is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 7 hours ago









umer arifumer arif

312




312




New contributor




umer arif is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





umer arif is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






umer arif is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 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





    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










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















17














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.






share|improve this answer


























  • 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





















15














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.






share|improve this answer































    6














    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.






    share|improve this answer































      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      17














      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.






      share|improve this answer


























      • 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


















      17














      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.






      share|improve this answer


























      • 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
















      17












      17








      17







      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.






      share|improve this answer















      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.







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited 1 hour ago

























      answered 7 hours ago









      iandotkellyiandotkelly

      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





















      • 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













      15














      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.






      share|improve this answer




























        15














        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.






        share|improve this answer


























          15












          15








          15







          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.






          share|improve this answer













          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.















          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 5 hours ago









          DarrenDarren

          2,1661222




          2,1661222























              6














              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.






              share|improve this answer




























                6














                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.






                share|improve this answer


























                  6












                  6








                  6







                  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.






                  share|improve this answer













                  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.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 3 hours ago









                  Todd WilcoxTodd Wilcox

                  6,15312034




                  6,15312034















                      Popular posts from this blog

                      Loup dans la culture

                      How to solve the problem of ntp “Unable to contact time server” from KDE?

                      ASUS Zenbook UX433/UX333 — Configure Touchpad-embedded numpad on Linux