Final answer:
In Satyajit Ray's 'Fritz', memory is crucial for both character development and plot progression, as the protagonist is deeply affected by childhood recollections. Memory's representation in the narrative prompts reader-response criticism and reflects on the nature of personal identity shaped by past experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Satyajit Ray's short story Fritz, memory plays a significant role as it drives the plot and evolves the mystery surrounding the German doll named Fritz. The story's protagonist, Jayanto, is haunted by the memories of a doll he buried during his childhood. Years later, upon returning to the same location, he is consumed by the need to excavate the doll's remains, which manifests a deep psychological impact of memory. Memory here is not just relevant as a personal recollection but also suggests a metaphorical digging up of the past, where certain historical contexts of the character's experiences may be revealed.
This exploration of memory aligns with the literary concept of reader-response criticism, as the reader reflects on their own experiences and memories in relation to the text. The narrative is interwoven with the themes of the reliability of memory, the passage of time, and the constant shaping and reshaping of the past through the act of remembering or forgetting.
Ray uses memory as an intricate part of the story's fabric, underscoring reflection and its influence on personal identity. The protagonist's recollection of Fritz, and the emotions tied to that memory, are critical to understanding the depth of human attachment and the mystery of how memory works.