Obstructed Memories

Laini Taylor emphasizes the idea of obstructed memories to illustrate the impact that memories and missing memories have on the characters’ lives. A large portion of the novel centers around the aftermath of the gods taking the humans of Weep to the citadel and returning them to the city without any of their memories of their time in the citadel. Letha, the goddess of oblivion, steals the human’s memories before Skathis returns them to Weep. However, physical scars remain on the victims’ bodies, such as distorted elilith tattoos from forgotten pregnancies. The gap of lost time reminds the humans of their experiences in the citadel, even though they cannot recall any of the details.

Taylor introduces the theme of obstructed memories in the first chapter, when she explores how forgetting the true name of the Unseen City provides Lazlo with the drive to discover...