The Go By L. P Hartley Analysis

In the prologue of The Go-Between how does L.P Hartley present the relationship between memory and history?

The first line of the novel introduces how L.P Hartley intertwines history and memory throughout the narrative. “The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.” in a literal sense, Hartley suggests that the past, like a foreign country, has different customs to present day. A recurring motif throughout the novel, the Boer war, can historically be connected to this opening line. The war between the British troops and the native Boers occurred after a discovery of gold and diamonds appeared in a few states within South Africa. Britain's invasion and involvement in the Boer war connects Britain historically to South Africa.
“Why have you grown up such a dull dog, when I gave you such a good start?”. Leo’s prediction of the dialogue which would occur after he is reproached by his younger self, is a compelling component within the novel, as this short conversation, is one of the only insights within the novel in which the reader can learn about present day Leo. The choice of language Hartley employs when conveying the character of young Leo is significant as Leo is referred to as a ‘dull dog’, which spends it’s time in dusty libraries, without obtaining any accomplishment of his own. This reveals his view of his present-day self worth or lack thereof. He has not become the embodiment of any of the zodiac signs, which he looked to as personal goals and aspirations in his youth. Ultimately, in his eyes, he is a failure. However, it is important to note that the hypothetical conversation has occurred only within the inner workings of Leo’s mind, based on the single truth he knows, and the only part of him which has remained, his memory. Furthermore, memory and history are essential to both the novel and the character of Leo as these are the only things he still has. To quote Leo himself, him and his emotions are