Autobiographies
Autobiographies or memoirs can be regarded
as the retrospective account of personal events, often combined
with later reflections which attempt to make sense of earlier
happenings, or to shape them into a coherent narrative for the
benefit of an anticipated readership. They become increasingly
common locally from the mid-17th century onwards.
Limitations
Sometimes an autobiography provides a historical
backcloth to the life of the writer which is so comprehensive
that it becomes an appraisal of the times through which the writer
lived. In such cases it is useful to consider the extent to which
such assessments may be influenced by perceived reader expectations.
When autobiographies are written for publication, moreover, the
authors act as their own editors and censors, and one should
always be on the look out for the favourable exaggeration, the
suppression of damaging detail and the distortion of facts.
Value
Nevertheless, an account of historical events
which is anchored in eye-witness experience should always be
sought out and carefully considered, for it may offer unique
insights into happenings which are otherwise poorly documented.
Without autobiographies, we would know significantly less about
society during the past four centuries.
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