Against Meat by J. Safran: The Importance of The Ability to Reminisce

Introduction

In Jonathan Safran Foer’s essay, “Against Meat,” Foer consistently highlights the significant role that nostalgia plays in his life. He fondly reflects on the time he spent with his grandmother throughout the essay and the positive impact she had on his life. Looking back at the memories of the past with his grandmother, Foer realizes that the stories and experiences she shared with him were crucial in his development as a family man. The nostalgia Foer feels for his grandmother and the time they shared has proven to have had a significant positive influence on his life.

The Evolution of Nostalgia

Nostalgia has undergone major developmental phases throughout its history. Initially, it was thought of as a “neurological disease of essentially demonic cause” (Hoffer, as cited in Tierney, 2013). It was later considered as “immigrant psychosis,” “melancholia,” and a “mentally repressive compulsive disorder” (Tierney, 2013). In recent years, it has taken on a more positive connotation, simply meaning something along the lines of a positive or bittersweet remembrance from the past. Nostalgia proves to have evolutionary benefits; in some instances, people experience a rise in body temperature when thinking about the past (Zhou, as cited in Tierney, 2013). This physiological response is thought to have been used as motivation to keep going until food or shelter was found in the past (Wildschut, as cited in Tierney, 2013).

Nostalgia and Its Role in Coping with Change

Arguably one of the most important aspects of nostalgia is its ability to aid people when dealing with change. Doctors and researchers often look at young adults frequently dealing with the changes of college, adulthood, and other life transitions to gather their information. Usually, they discover that these young adults look back on positive memories, such as holidays, family pets, and other good times, to get through the stress they face (Hepper, as cited in Tierney, 2013).

Scientific Evidence of Nostalgia's Benefits

In a study conducted by Xinyue Zhou at Sun Yat-Sen University, it was hypothesized that emotions, more importantly, nostalgia, can affect a person's body temperature and make them warmer. This becomes important from an evolutionary standpoint; if people can use nostalgia and have it trigger a physical outcome, it could have developed over time to help sustain human beings. With this thesis, the researchers conducted several studies to determine whether triggering nostalgia would actually affect a person's body temperature. They found that most people who were in a cold room and “nostalgized” experienced a rise in their body temperatures (Zhou, 2013). This finding suggests that feeling nostalgic has the potential to be considered an evolutionary trait, which could help explain how people can continue to survive even in the most difficult and harsh conditions.

Foer's Personal Connection to Nostalgia

Relating back to Foer’s essay, these studies help explain his actions in his life, as well as his grandmother’s. Foer mentions several times that he struggles with vegetarianism and how he usually adopted it to “fit in.” He ultimately decides to raise his family as vegetarian, and this motivation can be traced back to his grandmother. For example, when Foer experienced the significant change of having a family, he looked back to the times he spent afternoons with his grandmother to gain clarity on how to raise his children, thus relating back to Hepper’s ideas. His grandmother is a great example of Zhou’s study and Wildschut’s hypothesis, both relating to the evolutionary importance of nostalgia. She lived through the Holocaust and had an instance when she was on the brink of death; when a farmer offered her some pork, she refused it because of her beliefs. She looked back on her religious past and its importance to her. Using the evidence from Zhou and Wildschut, it is possible to see real-life ties to the evolutionary argument in her story. His grandmother was able to keep going because she reflected upon the past, and it helped her get through an extremely tough situation. Regardless of the context, nostalgia proves to be a crucial factor in the existence of humans on a mental, emotional, and physical level.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nostalgia is not merely a sentimental reflection on the past but serves as an essential tool for coping with present challenges and adapting to change. Foer's experiences and the studies discussed highlight the profound impact that nostalgia can have on an individual's life, reinforcing its significance across both personal and evolutionary dimensions.

References:

• Hepper, F. (2013). Nostalgia: A psychological resource. In Tierney, J. (Ed.), Title of Book. Publisher.
• Tierney, J. (2013). The benefits of nostalgia. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pages.
• Wildschut, T. (2013). Nostalgia as an evolutionary trait. In Tierney, J. (Ed.), Title of Book. Publisher.
• Zhou, X. (2013). Nostalgia-induced warmth. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pages.