The Memory of Things

Any piece of literature about September 11th is also about courage. Inherent to the topic are the facts and images from that day and its aftermath: first responders running toward the destruction; the actions of passengers and crew on Flight 93; victims’ family members bravely memorializing them. Kyle, in The Memory of Things, witnesses incidents of courage remarkable to him after the attack, through both a distant perspective as he watches the news footage and a very personalized lens as his father is an NYPD detective with the Joint Terrorist Task Force, “the first guys sent in during a crisis” (9). Mr. Donahue works at Ground Zero around the clock in the early days after the attack, making every attempt at rescue and recovery. When he phones Kyle, the emotion in his voice is evident even with chaotic background noise: “Our guys are down here, too, Kyle, under everything…I have to—you understand? I have to stay and get them out. […] I don’t care how long” (73). Despite his fear, grief, and worry, Mr. Donahue moves courageously forward, unceasing in his efforts. He represents the many rescue workers and first responders who worked countless hours at Ground Zero.