She wants her silence to be final. Here, more than anyplace else, she wants her memory uncontested. She does not want me talking to others, gathering other stories, looking into the remnants of my father's past. When she is silent, she wants those things about which she refuses to speak to remain as quiet as the tomb. That is the ultimate power of stories. They take on themselves the decision about what will be remembered and what will be told. The part of the past she claims most fiercely is the part she wants forgotten.

Summary

This quote highlights the power of silence and selective storytelling in shaping memory and personal history. The speaker describes someone who desires their silence to be final and their memory uncontested. They do not want others to inquire or share stories related to their past, as it threatens to keep certain aspects suppressed. The quote reflects how stories hold the authority in choosing which truths are remembered and which are forgotten, emphasizing the complexity and control in shaping one's personal narrative.

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