Blog Post #2: Reflective and Restorative Nostalgia

Boym defines reflective nostalgia, on the other hand, as a dwelling “in longing and loss, the imperfect process of remembrance” (41). More commonly known, reflective nostalgia acknowledges that the past exists to make way for the future, yet, those who experience this nostalgia still look back at the past with a certain fondness. Unlike restorative nostalgia, however, reflective nostalgia does not attempt to repair and recreate what has already been done, instead it simply relishes in the memories, through photos, music, and such, that are both individual and collective in nature.

In my first blog post, I wrote about the role nostalgia plays in society, and in doing so, I used Disney+ as a community artifact. Now, with my new understanding of the distinctions of nostalgia , I want to revisit them.

Of the two categories, it is my understanding that the “Throwbacks” and “Nostalgic Classics” are signs of reflective nostalgia. To rewatch a film from your past is to bask in the memories for just a few minutes, and as you do so, you have the opportunity to anecdotally share your love and past experiences with anyone who joins you non watching.

The “Reimagined Classics,” on the other had, are very much an example of the preservation of the past, which subjectively improves upon flaws, updates the narrative to fit modern standards, and presents itself as something new in order to reach generations who had never before seen the original. This section rebuilds the past in the same way conspiracy theories do, and it begs the question of which method is better.

With the perspective of Boym and myself from a week prior, I find that a main distinction between the two nostalgias are the way they are perceived in society. Unknowingly, individuals judge everything, especially emotions, and label them as wither good and bad, even when they feel them each the same. Reflective nostalgia is what I find is typically the more common and accepted version of nostalgia. It is seen as a “healthy copping mechanism” to appreciate the past and hold on to the memories and experiences that likely allowed an individual to grow as a person, without interfering much with their present lifestyle.

Conversely, many cases of restorative nostalgia are seen as “harping on the past” and resisting change. While the negativity displayed towards restorative nostalgia is not always actually negative, as shown through examples such as Disney’s “Reimagined Classics,” restorative nostalgia garners a reputation of an emotion that cannot grow beyond the point of what the individual deems as the “golden years.” Even I feel victim to harshly judging the remakes of classic films, despite indulging in them myself.

These chapters were insanely interesting, as they gave a definition to emotions that I had previously seen, experienced, and accepted without question. In reading about restorative nostalgia in particular, I became curious about the below questions, and would love to discuss them during our class on Tuesday.

• As I discussed the different reactions that I have had to restorative and reflective nostalgia, I want to know how others interpret these two emotions and why you think they are or are not so different.
• As Boym asks on page 47, when talking about the restoration of the Sistine Chapel, “What is more authentic: original image of Michelangelo not preserved through time, or a historical image that aged through the centuries?”
  • To broaden the topic, is it ethical to preserve any form of art or history that has ended, when the intentions of the owner is are unknown?
• How do you think the past decade’s recent interest in conspiracy theories has effected society, and what do you think it says about us?

Works Cited

Boym, Svetlana. The Future of Nostalgia. Basic Books, 2001.

Lead Image by Kelly Sikkema on Pexels