Main Answer:
The comparison the author makes in paragraph 5 with the smile "like a body, memory protects its wounds" likely conveys the idea that, similar to how the human body has mechanisms to heal and protect itself from physical wounds or injuries, memory has a way of shielding or safeguarding itself from painful or traumatic experiences.
In this context, the author might be suggesting that memory, like the body, has a defense mechanism to cope with emotional scars or distressing memories. It might imply that certain memories are buried or concealed as a form of self-preservation, just as the body might create scar tissue to protect itself after an injury.
Overall, this comparison emphasizes the complex and often protective nature of memory in the face of emotionally challenging experiences.