The Memory of Running Summary

10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.

Take it one question at a time

1. Question 1

   At the beginning of his journey, what mode of transportation does Smithson Ide primarily use to escape his grief?

   1. A Greyhound bus
   2. His old Raleigh bicycle
   3. His parents' car
   4. He walks
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   B. His old Raleigh bicycle Smithy begins his epic journey by riding down the driveway of his parents' house in Rhode Island on his old Raleigh bicycle.

2. Question 2

   What is Smithson Ide's primary coping mechanism and addiction at the outset of the novel?

   1. Excessive eating and gambling
   2. Chain-smoking and drinking
   3. Obsessive cleaning and isolation
   4. Workaholism and caffeine addiction
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   B. Chain-smoking and drinking The publisher's description explicitly states Smithy is an 'overweight, friendless, chain-smoking, forty-three-year-old drunk,' indicating his primary addictions.

3. Question 3

   What tragic series of events propels Smithy to embark on his journey of discovery?

   1. He loses his job and his home in the same week.
   2. He loses his parents and long-lost sister within the span of one week.
   3. His wife leaves him and takes their children.
   4. He suffers a debilitating injury that forces him to re-evaluate his life.
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   B. He loses his parents and long-lost sister within the span of one week. Smithy's life becomes completely unhinged when he loses his parents and long-lost sister within the span of one week, leading him to escape his grief.

4. Question 4

   How does Smithy's physical journey on the bicycle relate to his psychological state and the concept of 'running'?

   1. It represents a literal escape from financial troubles and legal issues.
   2. It symbolizes his attempt to physically outrun his emotional pain and confront past trauma.
   3. It is a practical means of transportation to reach a specific destination for a job interview.
   4. It's a metaphor for his desire to join a professional cycling team.
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   B. It symbolizes his attempt to physically outrun his emotional pain and confront past trauma. The title 'The Memory of Running' and his immediate departure to 'escape his grief' suggest the bicycle journey is a symbolic act of running from and eventually confronting his psychological burdens.

5. Question 5

   What is the initial self-perception Smithy holds about himself, as described by the publisher?

   1. A successful, respected member of his community.
   2. A 'loser,' an overweight, friendless, chain-smoking, forty-three-year-old drunk.
   3. A misunderstood genius awaiting his big break.
   4. A dedicated family man struggling with minor personal issues.
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   B. A 'loser,' an overweight, friendless, chain-smoking, forty-three-year-old drunk. The description clearly states: 'By all accounts, especially his own, Smithson 'Smithy' Ide is a loser. An overweight, friendless, chain-smoking, forty-three-year-old drunk.'

6. Question 6

   The journey is described as 'epic, hilarious, luminous, and extraordinary.' How does the 'hilarious' aspect contribute to the psychological depth of Smithy's character despite his grief?

   1. It suggests Smithy is completely detached from his emotions and feels no real sadness.
   2. It highlights Smithy's use of humor as a defense mechanism or a way to process overwhelming pain and absurdity.
   3. It implies the novel is purely a comedy with no serious psychological underpinnings.
   4. It indicates the journey is only a superficial adventure without internal conflict.
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   B. It highlights Smithy's use of humor as a defense mechanism or a way to process overwhelming pain and absurdity. In psychological terms, humor can be a powerful coping mechanism, allowing characters (and people) to navigate immense grief and difficult situations without succumbing entirely to despair. The 'hilarious' aspect likely provides levity and insight into Smithy's resilience.

7. Question 7

   The novel is described as leading to 'discovery and redemption.' From a psychological perspective, what might 'redemption' entail for a character like Smithy?

   1. Winning the lottery and becoming wealthy.
   2. Overcoming his addictions, accepting his past, and finding a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth.
   3. Successfully completing a physical challenge like a marathon.
   4. Reuniting with estranged friends from his youth.
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   B. Overcoming his addictions, accepting his past, and finding a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth. For a character described as a 'loser' with multiple addictions and deep grief, psychological redemption would involve confronting these issues, achieving sobriety, accepting his past, and ultimately transforming his self-perception and finding meaning.

8. Question 8

   Given Smithy's initial state as 'emotionally bereft' and his journey of 'discovery and redemption,' which psychological framework best describes his overall arc?

   1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), focusing on changing thought patterns.
   2. The Hero's Journey, involving departure, initiation, and return, often leading to self-transformation.
   3. Attachment Theory, primarily focusing on early childhood relationships.
   4. Behaviorism, emphasizing external stimuli and learned behaviors.
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   B. The Hero's Journey, involving departure, initiation, and return, often leading to self-transformation. The description of an 'epic... journey of discovery and redemption' for a character who is initially a 'loser' and 'emotionally bereft' strongly aligns with the structure of the Hero's Journey, a common narrative archetype of transformation.

9. Question 9

   The phrase 'The Memory of Running' suggests a deeper psychological element beyond the literal act of cycling. What might 'memory' refer to in the context of Smithy's 'discovery and redemption'?

   1. His forgotten athletic achievements from high school.
   2. The repressed or traumatic memories that he has been avoiding, which surface during his journey.
   3. Nostalgia for his childhood home in Rhode Island.
   4. His memory of the route he is taking across the country.
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   B. The repressed or traumatic memories that he has been avoiding, which surface during his journey. In a psychological novel about 'discovery and redemption' for a character dealing with immense grief, 'memory' often refers to the processing of past experiences, particularly those that have been avoided or repressed, which are crucial for true healing and self-understanding.

10. Question 10

    How does Smithy's 'forty-three-year-old' age likely influence the psychological weight and nature of his journey, compared to a younger protagonist?

    1. It makes his journey less impactful, as he has less time left to live.
    2. It implies a longer history of unaddressed issues and established habits, making his transformation more challenging and significant.
    3. It suggests he is too old to change or achieve genuine redemption.
    4. It means his journey is primarily about preparing for retirement.
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    B. It implies a longer history of unaddressed issues and established habits, making his transformation more challenging and significant. At 43, Smithy has had decades to accumulate his 'loser' status, addictions, and unaddressed grief. This long history makes his journey of 'discovery and redemption' more profound and difficult, as he's confronting deeply ingrained patterns and a lifetime of choices, rather than just early-adult missteps.