The Absent-Minded Reader
The Absent-Minded Reader Remember the prototype of Open AI’s ChatGPT—now considered primitive—but incredibly useful for those of us with egregiously faulty memory? I have only read Proust’s In Search of Lost Time all the way through twice. Took me several months both times. And yet, if put on the spot to summarize the story, with shame, I cannot. Did I not read carefully enough, only haphazardly, which would explain my embarrassing inability to recall even the most basic plot points? Nor can I quite tell you why Proust’s work is one of my favorites of all time—a question I loathe. I prefer a more nuanced question, such as, which book has left on you the greatest impression? Need I tell you, I lay claim to rarely the fine detail of books I read long ago like Proust, except for the most obvious—the madeleine (my memory, or the memory of a memory of a more diligent reader than I?) Because impression is all I have left of even my most favorite books of all time, like Proust’s. Something about longing, memory, longing for mother’s love, remembering the pain of loss of mother’s love…Oh and without cheating by leafing through the pages, something about a very long walk Marcel (is the fictional Marcel really the real Marcel?) takes along the Guermantes Way? So much of the narrative speaks to Marcel’s internal thoughts, feelings, and memory. How am I to recall it all when I can hardly remember what I thought about yesterday? Chatbot, summarize the main plot points of Proust’s In Search of Lost Time using Freytag’s pyramid: the seven key steps in successful storytelling: exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and denouement: "Proust's In Search of Lost Time, also known as Remembrance of Things Past, is a complex novel that spans many years in the life of its narrator, Marcel. Exposition: Marcel recounts his childhood experiences and the society in which he grew up, including the people and places that shaped his life. Rising Action: Marcel becomes infatuated with several women, including the alluring but unattainable Albertine. He embarks on a series of love affairs, each of which brings him both pleasure and pain. Climax: Marcel realizes that his pursuit of Albertine has been driven more by his own anxieties and insecurities than by any real love for her. He makes a painful decision to let her go. Falling Action: Marcel reflects on his experiences and begins to understand the nature of time and memory. He realizes that the past is not lost, but rather, it is constantly present in our memories and continues to shape our lives. Resolution: Marcel comes to a greater understanding of himself and the world around him, and he is able to move forward with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and complexity of life." That sounds about right. Good job, chatbot, you’ve captured the essential elements of this masterpiece. Now, why again, are you my favorite, dear Proust? *Note: I really had fun with this one and simultaneously bemoan my own terrible memory when it comes to books I have read, even more than once. Thoughts? Do you too struggle with remembering books you've read? What do you think of ChatGPT and other open source technology?