The charm, one might say the genius of memory, is that it is choosy, chancy, and temperamental: it rejects the edifying cathedral and indelibly photographs the small boy outside, chewing a hunk of melon in the dust.

Summary

This quote highlights the complexity and idiosyncratic nature of human memory. It suggests that memory has a distinct allure because it selectively captures moments that are often unpredictable, serendipitous, and emotionally significant. Rather than remembering grand, majestic scenes, memory tends to immortalize seemingly insignificant yet deeply personal and evocative details. In this way, the quote implies that memory possesses a certain charm and brilliance as it vividly recalls ordinary and intimate experiences, like a small boy's simple act of relishing a slice of melon in a dusty setting.

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