Human experiences can be influenced by the unresolved past and its intrusion into the present. Our past experiences can influence our present ones, both negatively and positively, causing emotions such as happiness, love and even despair. Ultimately, it is our negative memories of our unresolved past that greatly impact our future. This is evident in Favell Parrett's novel, “Past the Shallows” and Edgar Allen Poe's poem “The Raven.” Both texts discover how the experience of loss leads the characters to experience depression, aggression and addiction. It is evident that through the novel and poetry, past experiences impact an individual's present, influencing their ability to understand themselves and the world in which they live. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Human experiences have the undeniable power to impact one's future. This concept is made evident in the novel “Past the Shallows”, in which the composer reveals in depth how the memory of memories influences the character's present life. Throughout the plot, the experience of loss is expressed in the Curren family. The father is mentally scarred by the tragic loss of his wife and this experience transforms him into an alcoholic and violent person. This individual experience further becomes collective when his children are influenced by his actions. His eldest son, Joe, is forced to leave his home, leaving his two younger brothers not only to fend for themselves but also to live in an environment of constant fear. It has been shown that numerous times the boys are physically abused by their father, "...Miles' eyelid was all purple and cut, the bruising on the side of his face was severe...". Parrett's use of imagery in this text is to allow the reader to view a depiction of how his violent nature affects his children. It is evident that throughout the novel “Past the Shallows” past human experiences can influence someone's present. The novel “Past the Shallows” has a reputation for depicting how past human experiences can shape their future. Throughout the novel, Miles, the middle child, acts more like a father figure than a brother towards his younger brother Harry. This is due to how the father's irresponsible attitude towards his children forces the eldest son Joe to move out and have Miles take care of his younger brother. “…he looked so young and small as if no time had passed since he was the baby in the room and Joe had told Miles to be nice to him and help mommy. And Miles had thought he wouldn't like it. But Harry had a way with him. A way that made you promise to take care of him. This quote identifies how Miles has to take care of his little brother Harry through the memory of his brother Joe informing him to help him and somehow promising to take care of his little brother no matter what. This memory of the past is the main reason for how Miles behaved in the present. It is evident that through the novel “Past the Shallows” the composer uses memories to influence someone's present. The idea that human experiences have an unquestionable power to influence someone's future is also present throughout the poem “The Crow”. Throughout this poem, writer Edgar Allan Poe explores this concept when the main character is constantly troubled by the memory of his late wife Lenore's tragic death. "truce and nepenthe come on.