We use memory to define ourselves. By taking away that index, Nolan shows how easily identity can be manipulated.
A "good write-up" for the film typically focuses on its revolutionary non-linear structure and its exploration of memory and identity. Structural Brilliance index of memento
Understanding the "Index of Memento": Navigating the Complexities of Nolan’s Masterpiece We use memory to define ourselves
of the film with the chronological, DVD-ordered version. Analyze the specific notes Leonard leaves for himself. Discuss other films that use non-linear storytelling. : The film explores the tension between an
: The film explores the tension between an individual’s subjective view and the belief in an objective reality. Leonard relies on "facts" (tattoos and Polaroids) because he believes they are more reliable than memories, which can be distorted.
Polaroids act as Leonard’s only "objective" record of the present. He snaps photos of people and places, annotating them with facts. However, as the film reveals, these photos are profoundly unreliable. Leonard’s note on a picture of Teddy reads "Don’t believe his lies," yet we later learn Teddy might be telling the truth. The Polaroid symbolizes how we manipulate evidence to fit our preferred narrative, not the other way around.
Because Leonard cannot form new memories, he relies on a tangible "index" to construct his reality. These symbols are essential to the plot: