Scent, Language, and Memory

By Anonymous -
Deborah Green explained the importance of metaphor, simile, and metonym in describing scents, because of the connection with emotional reaction.  In the Song of Songs, she states, “we must assess the scent comparisons and even the emotions they may evoke, completely and on their own terms, however difficult this may be” (85).  The link between the words shemen (oil) and shem (name) is important as the name of the individual and fragrances are not mentioned, rather the words discuss flowing oil.  By using the word shemen, a metaphor is used to generate a connection between scented oil and the lover.  This metaphor also indicates that that both the name and fragrance of their lover’s perfume is pleasing.  By using scent, the woman is able to yearn for her lover when he is not present by recalling his perfume, indicating a seductive aspect to fragrance.  Scent becomes erotic through references to spices, flowers, and even vines, because they are used to describe a lover. 



            Green’s writings connected to the presentation on Smell we had last week from Dr. Rachel Herz, particularly the connection between scent and memory.  Green expresses the subjective ways that language is structured and generated to discuss scent and fragrance.  The link between scent and the limbic system allow the retention of memories linking to scent, creating emotional reactions.  It is easier to express and discuss these emotional reactions by using metaphor, simile, and metonym, thus this is how we can talk about scent.  The memory of a scent is also linked directly to the object, which allows a reader to visualize the physical object that is “associated with the aroma, provided her or she has smelled it before” (86).  Dr. Herz’s discussion of the close link between taste and smell is reflected in the writings of Green, specifically the differences between bad and good smells.  The scents that are used to describe a lover are spicy, floral, and sweet (words such as honey).  I believe this furthers the importance of language and understanding scent, as we seem to continually search for ways to better understand and discuss fragrances. 



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