In Jhumpa Lahiri's novel "The Lowland," Augustine reflects on the nature of memory, emphasizing that what is retained within our minds often differs from our intentional recollections. This distinction highlights the complexity of memory itself, suggesting that much of what we store in our minds operates below the surface of conscious thought.

Augustine's insights point to a deeper understanding of human experience, where emotions and past events shape our identities even if we don't actively remember them. This layered notion of memory invites readers to consider the ways in which their own lives may be influenced by unacknowledged or forgotten moments.