Autobiography genre definition of a book

Autobiography operates in complicity with metaphysical notions of self-consciousness, intentionality and language as a means of representation. The tagging of the generic status operates by way of paratextual pronouncements or by identity of names; in contrast, nominal differentiation or content clues might point to fiction as worked out by Cohn Finck : With critical hindsight, the classic paradigm of autobiography, with its tenets of coherence, circular closure, interiority, etc.

Subsequently, issues of publication, canonization and the historical nexus of gender and autobiographical genre became subjects of investigation, bringing into view historical notions of gender and the specific conditions and practices of communication within their generic and pragmatic contexts e. Lionett Phrased in less Romantic terms, it locates life courses and self-representations in specific places.

In any case, the prioritizing of space over time seems to question, if not to reverse, the dominance of temporality in autobiography and beyond since Whatever the markers of difference and semantic foci explored, the notion of autobiography has shifted from literary genre to a broad range of cultural practices that draw on and incorporate a multitude of textual modes and genres.

BySmith and Watson eds. Among them are narratives of migration, immigration or exile, narratives engaging with ethnic identity and community, prison narratives, illness, trauma and coming-out narratives as much as celebrity memoirs, graphic life writing and forms of Internet self-presentation. With its historical, psychological and philosophical dimensions, it differs from related forms such as memoirs and res gestae.

Memoirs locate a self in the world, suggesting a certain belonging to, or contemporaneity with, and being in tune with the world Neumann The intersections of hetero- and autobiography remain to be further explored. Additional study of the experimental interactions of life writing with no clear dividing lines between auto- and hetero-biography might yield results with interdisciplinary repercussions.

Finally, the field of self-representation and life writing in the new media calls for more research from an interdisciplinary angle. Primary tabs View active tab Revisions. Helga Schwalm. Critical Paradigms in Historical Perspective From its critical beginnings, then, autobiography has been inextricably linked to the critical history of subjectivity.

Topics for Further Investigation The intersections of hetero- and autobiography remain to be further explored. Bibliography Primary Sources Augustine [—98] Pine-Coffin ed. Harmondsworth: Penguin. Zwischenbilanz: Eine Jugend in Berlin. Frankfurt a. Bunyan, John [] Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. Oxford: Clarendon. Paris: Hachette.

Cellini, Benvenuto [—66] The Life of Benvenuto Cellini; written by himself. Symonds trans. London: Phaidon. Dickens, Charles [] David Copperfield. Oxford: Oxford UP. London: Thomas Cadell. Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von [—31] Truth and Poetry: From my Own Life. Oxenford trans. London: Alston Rivers. Gosse, Edmund [] Father and Son. Hume, David The History of England, etc.

To which is prefixed a short account of his life, written by himself. Jean Paul [—19] Miller ed. Johnson, Samuel. The Rambler. Strauss eds. New Haven: Yale UP. Johnson, Samuel [] Idler and Adventurer. Bate ed. Keller, Gottfried [—55] Keller, Gottfried —80] Zweite Fassung. Mill, John Stuart [] Moritz, Karl Philipp [—86] Anton Reiser. Nabokov, Vladimir Speak, Memory.

An Autobiography Revisited. Nietzsche, Friedrich [] Hollingdale trans. Henry David Thoreau is a notable memoirist. In Waldenhe reflects on his time spent living in solitude in the woods of Massachusetts and what he learned about life and nature throughout this experience. Another example is The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, which relates the death of her husband and its impact on her life and work.

Another is Wild by Cheryl Strayed, wherein Strayed remembers her time hiking the Pacific Crest Trail during a period of great change in her life. The fictionalized autobiography, or autofiction, is another type of autobiography. The author presents their story not as fact but as fiction. This method gives them considerable space to take creative license with events and characters, thereby blurring the lines between reality and fiction.

The overall goal is less about the author wanting to obscure facts and make things up and more a matter of taking another tactic to delve into their experiences in service of self-discovery. Taipei by Tao Lin is a work of autofiction. Both autobiographies and biographies are records of real lives, but there is one major distinction. In this way, an autobiography is essentially a biography of the self.

The autobiographer, however, is usually not burdened by this because they lived through the events they write about. They may need only to confirm dates and stories to accurately relate the pertinent details. An autobiography allows the author to tell the true story of their own life. This is the reason why autobiographies have always been written by famous people.

Writing an autobiography allows the author to share the real story and put it into the larger context of their life and times. Most readers pick up an autobiography expecting some degree of subjectivity from the author. After all, the events chronicled happened to the author, so the writing will of course have a biased perspective. There are advantages to this subjectivity, though.

Any of these deficiencies can result in a somewhat skewed narrative. Like postmodern writers, such as Jorge Luis Borges, and Italo Calvino, the stories of Tuten skip between truth and imagination, time and place, without warning. He has done the same with his autobiography, where readers are eager to move through fanciful stories about train rides, circus bears, and secrets to a happy marriage; all of which give readers glimpses of the real man.

Rather, he has viewed his life as a farcical theatrical drama unfolding around him. He is one of the best examples of living the American dream — sharing the idea that one can gain financial independence, and reach a prosperous life through hard work. Through autobiography, authors can speak directly to their autobiographies genre definition of a book, and to their descendants.

As Angelou grows older, she begins to question the injustices around her and develops a deep appreciation for literature and language. Through reading works by Black authors and immersing herself in the world of poetry, she gradually finds her voice and the strength to overcome her past traumas. In the autobiography, McCurdy delves into her tumultuous relationship with her mother, Debra, who passed away in after battling cancer.

Additionally, McCurdy delves into her experiences as a child actor and the immense pressure she faced to succeed in the entertainment industry. Born to a strict and domineering father with a mistrust of formal education and government institutions, Westover grew up in a household where schooling was forbidden and paranoia reigned. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, she embarked on a courageous path to self-education and personal liberation.

With unwavering determination, she taught herself enough mathematics, grammar, and science to gain admission to Brigham Young University. Along the way, she faced the challenges of adjusting to unfamiliar social norms, reconciling her past with her newfound knowledge, and navigating the emotional turmoil of gradually breaking away from her family.

Autobiographies dealing with psychological illness delve into the challenges faced by individuals suffering from mental health disorders. These accounts offer a unique perspective on the daily struggles and triumphs of people dealing with such conditions, providing readers with valuable insights into the realities of living with mental illness.

By sharing their personal experiences, authors help to destigmatize mental health issues, raise awareness, and promote empathy and understanding. Some examples of autobiographies that focus on psychological illness include:. An Unquiet Mind is a deeply personal and powerful memoir by Kay Redfield Jamison, who is not only a renowned clinical psychologist specializing in mood disorders, but also someone who has personally experienced the tumultuous journey of living with bipolar disorder.

Through her candid narrative, Jamison provides a rare, first-hand account of the struggles, triumphs, and complexities of this mental illness. Jamison shares her story from the early onset of her autobiographies genre definition of a book in adolescence to her eventual diagnosis and the long road to finding an effective treatment.

As a medical professional, she offers a unique perspective on the disorder, blending her clinical knowledge with her own intimate experiences. Readers are given an inside look at the emotional rollercoaster of mania and depression, as well as the challenges faced in her personal relationships and professional life. By openly discussing her struggles, she aims to foster understanding and empathy for those who are affected by bipolar disorder, as well as their friends, families, and healthcare providers.

Darkness Visible is a powerful and deeply personal memoir by Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Styron, who chronicles his harrowing descent into the depths of clinical depression and his subsequent near-fatal suicide attempt. In this poignant and raw account, Styron vividly details the insidious onset of his depression, the growing sense of despair and hopelessness that enveloped him, and his struggle to make sense of what was happening to him.

He also explores the various factors that may have contributed to his illness, including the loss of his mother, the stress of his literary career, and the side effects of medications he was taking. He recounts his journey through the mental health care system, his encounters with various professionals, and the eventual intervention of friends that ultimately saved his life.

Saks, a prominent legal scholar, professor, and mental health advocate. Throughout the book, Saks shares her journey from the onset of her symptoms during her teenage years, to her time at Oxford University and Yale Law School, and her eventual career as a law professor at the University of Southern California.

Autobiography genre definition of a book

She provides a firsthand account of her struggles with psychosis, hospitalizations, and the impact of her illness on her relationships, career, and sense of self. It has been widely praised for its honest portrayal of schizophrenia and for helping to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. The book offers a unique perspective into the mind of someone living with schizophrenia, and serves as a source of inspiration and hope for those who face similar challenges.

Confessional autobiographies are a form of literature where authors intimately share their personal experiences, including their mistakes, transgressions, and the consequences they faced as a result. This type of writing often serves as a means for the author to achieve self-reflection, growth, and a sense of redemption. Confessional autobiographies can be raw, honest, and sometimes shocking, but they often resonate deeply with readers due to their authenticity.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a autobiography that recounts the life of Malcolm X, a prominent African American leader, human rights activist, and one of the most influential figures in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The book was co-authored by journalist and writer Alex Haley, who conducted a series of interviews with Malcolm X over a two-year period before his assassination in It chronicles his evolving political and philosophical beliefs, his eventual disillusionment with the Nation of Islam, and his conversion to Sunni Islam after a transformative pilgrimage to Mecca.

In the wake of their deaths, the thenyear-old Eggers is left to care for his 8-year-old brother, Toph. The memoir follows their journey together as they navigate grief, responsibility, and the challenges of creating a new life. He employs self-awareness, humor, and irony to explore themes of loss, family, and the search for identity. Here are two examples of spiritual autobiographies, each of which illustrates a different aspect of spiritual growth:.

In the book, Merton recounts his early life, including his childhood and education in France, England, and the United States, as well as the deaths of both of his parents. He details his search for meaning and purpose, which initially led him to a hedonistic lifestyle and pursuit of worldly pleasures. As Merton delved deeper into Catholicism, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening and felt a strong calling to the monastic life.