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Unit 4 - Biography and Autobiography

This document provides an overview of biographies and autobiographies. It discusses what a biography is, how it differs from historical writing, and the relevance of biographies. Advantages and disadvantages of using biographies as historical sources are outlined. The key differences between biographies and autobiographies are explained. A biographical narrative and memoir are defined and compared to autobiographies. The importance of truth and objectivity in biographies is discussed. Finally, the debate around whether history is shaped more by "Great Men" or ordinary people is introduced.

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Kamogelo Makhura
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582 views6 pages

Unit 4 - Biography and Autobiography

This document provides an overview of biographies and autobiographies. It discusses what a biography is, how it differs from historical writing, and the relevance of biographies. Advantages and disadvantages of using biographies as historical sources are outlined. The key differences between biographies and autobiographies are explained. A biographical narrative and memoir are defined and compared to autobiographies. The importance of truth and objectivity in biographies is discussed. Finally, the debate around whether history is shaped more by "Great Men" or ordinary people is introduced.

Uploaded by

Kamogelo Makhura
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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10/09/2017

Unit 4:

Biography & Autobiography

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1. What is a Biography?
Gives an detailed description about the life of a person.
◦ Basic facts such as childhood, education, career, relationships,
family and death.
Written by ‘n 3rd person
Written in chronological order

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2. Forms of literature
In earlier centuries, biography was sometimes considered
as a branch of historical writing. Why?

Distinguish between the two forms of literature:


◦ Historical writing: generalizations about a certain time, group of
people in a certain time, specific event, institution, etc.
◦ Biographical writing: focus on the particulars of an individual

Similarities between these two forms of literature:


◦ Concerned with the past
◦ In-depth research
◦ Use of sources

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3. Relevance of Biographies

Why are we interested in biographies?


◦ ‘Personalizes’ history (e.g. Anne Frank and the
lived Jewish experience during WW2)

◦ Historical facts/truths are presented from a


specific point of view, which makes it relatable.
‘Human’ nature of biographical works
Lived experience

◦ Enables us to make (better) sense of people and


society

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4. Advantages & Disadvantages of using


biography as historical source
Advantage Disadvantages
1. Provides direct focus on an person 1. Writers are selective with sources and
(and events) because of its narrow what’s included
angle • Too many or too few sources

2. ‘Humanizes’ history 2. Often written subjectively


• What to include and what to omit
3. Close to the source • Relationship between writer and
subject
4. Provides insight into human nature
3. Aim of biography? E.g. to boost a person’s
image; to rectify a wrong; to garner
sympathy; etc.

4. Possible failure and selectiveness of


subject’s memory distorting facts
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5. Autobiography: Definition

Life sketch of a person written by that person.


◦ The word auto means ‘self.’

Contains all the elements of a biography but


composed or narrated by the author himself.

Note: He/She may write on their own or may hire


ghost-writers to write for them.

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6. Comparison: Biography vs.


Autobiography
Basis for Biography Autobiography
Comparison
Meaning refers to an account that an account that tells
tells someone else's life your life story.
story.
Authorization Can be written, with or Not required
without the authorization
of the subject.
Written in Third person First person
Purpose To inform To express and inform
Outlook Based on facts collected by Full of emotions and
the author. thoughts.
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7.What is a biographical narrative?


Story that relates the key events and facts about a
person's life from a first-person perspective.

Describes the events in a chronological or logical sequence


and reflects upon their significance.

Contains biological information, physical descriptions, action


details, anecdotes & personal interpretations of the subject.

Authors of biological narratives typically choose people or


characters that have personal significance to them.

Personal perspective is a key aspect of a biographical


narrative.
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8. Memoir vs. autobiography

Autobiography: Memoir:
covers the writer's entire focuses on specific aspects or periods of
life up to the point of the writer's life.
writing the autobiography
focuses on hard facts like writer generally writes to a theme, such
when and where he was as what it was like to overcome
born, what his life was like addiction or live through the Russian
or what his revolution.
accomplishments were. Hard facts are not so critical, but the
storytelling aspect rises in importance.
Autobiography is more Can be written by anyone with a
likely to be written by a fascinating story.
famous person, while
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9.Truth & objectivity

1. Truth: biography should be based on truth. It’s not a


novel.
◦ as much as possible based on evidence.
◦ Sources must be included
◦ Primary sources vital – but do still not believe everything you
read!

2. Objective:
◦ Frank and revealing: must be completely honest
◦ Modern biographies
‘Warts-and-all’ style, ‘Tell-all’ style
Biased? Specific aim?

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10. Big Men vs Little people?


◦ Does the mere fact that someone has a biography of them written
and published not maybe mean that his/her role in society is being
highlighted as (more) important?
◦ Big Men vs Little People
“The Great Man theory is a 19th-century idea according to which history can
be largely explained by the impact of "great men", or heroes; highly influential
individuals who, due to either their personal charisma, intelligence, wisdom, or
political skill utilized their power in a way that had a decisive historical impact.
The theory was popularized in the 1840s by Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle.”
“But in 1860 Herbert Spencer formulated a counter-argument that has
remained influential throughout the 20th century to the present: Spencer said
that such great men are the products of their societies, and that their actions
would be impossible without the social conditions built before their lifetimes.”

Is history made by the Great Men or the Little People?

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