OLD HORIZON BY HỒ DZẾNH FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MEMORY

Abstract

This article examines Hồ Dzếnh's Old Horizon (Chân trời cũ) from the perspective of memory studies, focusing on two interrelated dimensions: the construction of memories of kin and the formation of personal and cultural identity. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach that integrates literary analysis with memory studies, the article argues that memories of kin in Old Horizon are not merely recollections of the past but dynamic, emotionally charged experiences shaped by the author's complex sensory perceptions. These memories are characterized by a profound sense of "thân-thương" (close-affectionate), which is closely intertwined with experiences of loss and tragedy. The article further demonstrates that the work functions as a constructive practice of memory through which Hồ Dzếnh reconstructs the cultural and emotional foundations of his identity. Specifically, Old Horizon reveals two defining dimensions of identity: the author's Sino-Vietnamese cultural heritage and a literary sensibility characterized by melancholy and compassion. By linking remembered experiences with present interpretive needs, the work not only reconstructs the past but also illuminates the intellectual and emotional origins of Hồ Dzếnh's literary world.