I think people write memoirs for historical porposses and for phsycological well-being. Historically, memoirs are a way of preserving the past. Future generations can use them as pretty much a primary source explaining different events. Memoirs are also much more useful than history text-books, because they provide information not found anywhere else. They explain people's feelings and they paint a pictures of events. Furthermore, since the author is telling his own story there is passion. The memoir will be bursting with powerful images and words from the author, that can help people understand what it was like to be the author in a certain event.
A memoir can also provide for a person's phsycological well-being. It can be cleansing and healing to write about events in one's life, especially it they were hard times. Writing about those tough times can help a person come to terms with their feelings in the healing process. Also, writing a memoir can relieve frustration or anger. Writing could help a person think clearer about a situation than when they were extremely mad.
There is so much power in telling our own stories, power that can provide historical references, and power to provide for a phsycologically-well person.
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3 comments:
I like how you said memoirs could perserve the past. I agree that memoirs are very good for first person resources that give a very personalized view on past events in history. I also like the whole psychological well being. Although personally I would just get stressed trying to write my entire life's story, I suppose for some people it could actually be quite the zen experience.
You are very accurate when stating that a memoir is written due to the author's life experiences in a certain historical period. I like the descriptions you made of a memoir painting a picture of history.
You still don't quite have me with the idea that memoirs help with the author's well-being, oh well. Keep an eye out for forest fires,
~ Lace
I love how you said "preserving the past." That was very nicely phrased. I really like how you said they pain a picture of events because that is extremely important in writing a memomir i would definately agree! I had not thought of it right away that writting a memoir could be cleansing and healing but I can see where you are coming from. Great job!!
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