Golden Pocket-watch

Urbain's golden pocket-watch is representative of memory passed down through generations, as it was initially given to him by his father and he passed it down to his grandson, the narrator. For Urbain, it is a symbol of strength and responsibility, given to him by his mother after his father's departure, and the memory is damaged when his grandson accidentally breaks the watch years later.

Notebooks

Notebooks are a means of transporting memory through time, as Urbain preserves his life in his diaries, leaving it as a legacy to his grandson. The narrator finds it difficult to initiate the project of reading and transcribing the notebooks, as for him, it is a fear of disassociating from memory and authenticating Urbain's memories separate from his own.

Art

Art is symbolic of love and perseverance, something that can persist through generations no matter what happens in the...