A person who narrates or writes their own life story is working on:
Aa biography
Ban autobiography
Ca short story
Da legend
Answer:
B. an autobiography
Read Explanation:
Understanding Autobiography
- Definition: An autobiography is a self-written account of the life of the person writing it. The term originates from the Greek words 'autos' (self), 'bios' (life), and 'graphein' (to write).
- Distinction from Biography: A biography is the life story of a person written by someone else. In contrast, an autobiography is written by the subject themselves, offering a first-person perspective.
- Key Characteristics:
- First-Person Narrative: Written from the 'I' perspective.
- Personal Recollections: Relies on the author's memories, experiences, and reflections.
- Subjectivity: Often presents a subjective view of events and relationships.
- Chronological or Thematic Structure: Can be organized chronologically or around specific themes.
- Purpose and Significance:
- Self-Reflection: Allows authors to process and understand their own lives.
- Sharing Experiences: To inspire, educate, or entertain readers with their life journey.
- Historical Record: Can serve as a valuable primary source for historians, offering insights into a particular era or social context.
- Famous Examples:
- 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X' as told to Alex Haley
- 'My Experiments with Truth' by Mahatma Gandhi
- 'The Diary of a Young Girl' by Anne Frank (though originally a diary, it's widely considered autobiographical)
- Relevance in Competitive Exams:
- Questions often test the understanding of literary genres and their definitions.
- Recognizing the difference between autobiography and biography is a common point of inquiry.
- Familiarity with prominent autobiographies and their authors can be beneficial for vocabulary and general knowledge sections.