And when I die all the memories of my own life will go to the grave with me, God willing, and Dick will never have to look back at them. And his children will never even know what my life was like. They'll know nothing of grinding stones and being hungry and ashamed all day and being beaten by a teacher who couldn't write himself and being sure you kept your mind so empty that you had no thoughts at all. And that's what I've done for them, that's my gift to them and to all their children ever after, so don't talk to me about being hard.
The speaker reflects on the inevitability of their memories fading away, expressing a wish for their past struggles and sufferings to remain unknown to future generations. They describe a life filled with hardship, including hunger, shame, and harsh treatment, but believe that this burden is something they have managed to shield their descendants from. The idea of leaving behind a legacy of pain is met with resolution, as the speaker takes pride in granting a life free from those memories to their loved ones.
This perspective emphasizes the notion of sacrifice and resilience. By confronting their own difficult experiences, the speaker feels they have created a safer, more hopeful future for Dick and his children. They dismiss any notion of their life being perceived as harsh because they see this struggle as a necessary part of protecting the next generation. The act of allowing their trials to remain buried reflects a desire to provide a brighter path forward.
