Week two : Marcel Proust’s “Combray”

Like most of my classmates have stated in their posts about this week’s book, it’s definitely a more challenging read than expected. It felt slower and harder to get through than most books as there were parts I found slightly boring, and it took me a bit of time to get a feel of the book as I found myself constantly re-reading parts of the book to try and make sense of what was on the page in front of me. Whenever I thought I was starting to figure out what he was trying to say, another sentence came out and threw me off, and then I was back to square one, sitting there confused about what I was reading. I was able to grasp the book’s central themes, like memory, childhood, and nostalgia, and I took these aspects to connect with his writing and make sense of the book.

There were parts of the book I really enjoyed, such as the iconic Madeleine scene. I love how the Madeleine was written into such a symbolic key of unlocking the deep memories of his aunt. Proust illustrates the connections of the familiarity of smell, touch and taste of the Madeleine, which triggered his memory from his childhood in the town of Combray. The sudden and strong recollection of memories triggered by his basic senses becomes the starting point of the novel’s central themes.

Another thing that stood out to me is his relationship with his mother. It might be because I took psych and learnt about Freud, but the way he coerced his mother into giving him a goodnight kiss made me think of Freud and the Oedipus Complex. However, I think his need for his mother’s kisses provides insight into his anxiety about leaving his mother alone at night, and it shows us his need for a mother’s comfort, security, and overall maternal affection. Bringing back the theme of memory where his sensory experiences trigger these episodic memories, the memory of his mother’s kisses carried some sentimental value, representing comfort and a connection to the past.

One thing that really helped me understand this book was the amount of imagery depicted. When I read, I can always visualise the scenarios in my head, allowing me to connect more emotionally to the book. This is one of the aspects that helped me get out of the hole of not knowing what was going on. A specific scene I had in mind that helped me visualise the most was when he talked about his childhood terrors. This explains why he desperately needed his mother’s kisses and comfort at night due to his childhood fears. I could relate to that because, as a kid who was also afraid of the dark and ‘ghosts’, I would always hide under my blanket to ‘avoid’ the dangers out of the covers.

Moreover, my question for discussion is: Can you relate to any childhood fears that have left a lasting impression on your memories?