Postmemory and the American War:

Modes of Interaction Amidst Vietnam’s

Postmemory Generation

Will Kannegieser
Academic Director : Thanh Duong

Advisor: Dr. Huong Nguyen, USSH Hanoi

Williams College ’20

History and Political Science
14 December 2018
Hanoi, Vietnam

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Submitted for partial fulfillment of requirements for World Learning, SIT Study Abroad,

Vietnam: Culture, Social Change, and Development

Fall 2018
 Abstract

What is the extent of memory for a generation that has not lived through a traumatic experience?
Borrowing from Marianne Hirsch’s category of “postmemory”, this discourse has sought to
illuminate the means through which memory is transferred to and processed within the
generation of Vietnamese people born at the conclusion of the American War. Building on
previous analytical and theoretical frameworks for approaching memory studies, the analysis
used a multifaceted approach to investigate the active roles individuals, generations, institutions
and transnational forces take in shaping Vietnam’s perspective relating to the American War.

The results of this investigation are indicative of the opening of narratives that both act on but
are simultaneously employed by the postmemory generation to a variety of ends, including
narrative justice, state objectives and personal reconciliation. Other evidence supports the power
of choice in the experiential generation in affecting the discourse that takes place in familial
circles, as well as the importance of proximity to the conflict in shaping more extreme views
among the postmemory generation. The ultimate goal of this research is to add to the wider
understanding of memory studies in Vietnam, specifically relating to a generation that will play a
key role in determining how the war is remembered in Vietnam.

This project is one oriented towards constructivism and ethical memory. When addressing
memory associated with trauma, the human-oriented aspect constructivism offers is important in
understanding how larger forces act on individuals. Furthermore, having an eye-toward an
ethical approach to memory, by giving an ear to stories that are often go unheard, there is a
greater chance for narrative justice through a memory scape that is more inclusive.

Key words : Postmemory, American War, generation,