Stories of the Self: Themes in Memoir and Autobiography
Eric Metzler
Kelley School of Business
Humans tell stories about themselves and their experiences to connect with others, share values, build relationships, and create kinship and friendship bonds. We all have stories to tell, but what makes stories compelling enough that others (i.e., strangers) would want to hear them or purchase them as books to read or listen to? What is the purpose – beyond entertainment – of stories of the self? How do memoirists shape their stories to advance a perspective or set of values? How important is authenticity: Does it matter that the events in the narrative really happened exactly as narrated? Does it matter if events are exaggerated or even made up?
In this seminar, we will read and discuss autobiographical texts that not only relate compelling stories, but also provoke questions such as those articulated above. We will also sample some key autobiographical texts in the Western tradition in order to give context to the more contemporary memoirs or autobiographies we study. Finally, students will complete a final project of their choosing, which may take several forms, including, but not limited to, a comparative analysis of two memoirs, an in depth study of one memoir and its contexts, or an essay where students create a short memoir of their own based on a flashpoint event in their lives.
Catalog Information: HON-H 232 MEANINGFUL WRITING