Abstract This paper summarizes the article, "Mechanisms of Autobiographical Memory Retrieval in Younger and Older Adults", by K. Dijkstra and B. Kaup, explaining that it is about remembering autobiographical events. More specifically, the paper explains that the article's authors ask whether it helps retrieval of memories if attention is directed to a demarcated lifespan context; and secondly, whether memories are retrieved differently by younger and older adults.
Abstract This paper explains F. Scott Fitzgeralds' novel "The Great Gatsby" as an autobiographical study. The paper analyzes the common history shared by the author and Gatsby.
From the Paper "In the 's the American literary scene was dominated by fascinating and compelling characters who were known as much for the lives that they led as the novels and stories that they produced. There is perhaps no better example of this phenomenon than F. Scott Fitzgerald, a writer who is often considered the spokesman for the Jazz Age."
Tags: Gatsby, Fitzgerald, autobiographical, rich, Long Island, Zelda, midwest
Abstract The paper analyzes recent research which suggests that is it important to examine gender related differences in autobiographical memory. The paper further analyzes the available studies which suggest that gender differences do exist with respect to autobiographical memory, and may be the result of multiple factors including socialization and cognitive processes. The paper proposes to help fill the gap that currently exists with respect to this line of research. The literature review focuses on the current studies available analyzing the effects of gender on autobiographical recall. The paper specifically attempts to outline what, if any, gender differences exist, where they exist, why they exist and the implications of memory differences between the sexes.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Autobiographical Memory: Gender Differentiation
Analysis and Summary of Literature
Critical Appraisal of Autobiographical Memory Research
From the Paper "Evidence suggests that children's "schemas change as they age" enabling memories to change frequently, hence "memories from an early age have no suitable framework from which they can be retrieved" (Betz, et al. 1996). Recent research suggests however that children do learn how to represent events early on, and this ability does not change into adulthood. The method of representation to reveal autobiographical memory is through narratives, or the process of learning how to relate information regarding one's autobiographical history through story telling (Betz et al. 1996)."
Abstract This paper explains that autobiographical memory includes, not only memories for specific experiences, but also memories for the personal facts of one's life. The author points out that the brain uses two forms of memory storage: Semantic memory and episodic memory. The paper relates that autobiographical memories are some of the most important memories we have because they include our self-image, our knowledge of the world around us, and the recall of emotional and specific events, which help to influence our lives.
From the Paper "Episodic memory plays a role in autobiographical memory in a number of ways. First, parts of autobiographical memories involve "flashbulb memories", or the memory for a situation in which we had high emotion or surprise. For example, one may remember the day in which the World Trade center was attacked. The memory of this event includes information such as the place of the event, the event which was interrupted by the high emotion, where one received the news, the feelings associated with the news, and the emotions of those around them."
Abstract This paper discusses Li-Young Lee's autobiographical poem " I Ask My Mother to Sing." The paper describes the use of imagery, explains the themes of loss and nostalgia and points out the immigrant experience.
From the Paper "Li-Young Lee's poem "I Ask My Mother to Sing" is a post modern autobiographical lyrical poem filled with emotion and the power of memory and nostalgia. The poem evokes a set of emotions in the poet that he expresses through visual mental pictures of what he hears and sees. Four stanzas of lines, the first three stanzas are four lines each and the final climactic stanza consists of two lines."
Abstract This paper shows how Houston A. Baker Jr. in his essay
"Autobiographical Acts and the Voice of the Southern Slave" addresses issues of the veracity and reliability of autobiographical narratives in the specific context of the slave era of the South. It explains how Baker writes about the southern slave narratives which emerged from that time in history. He asks how reliable are the autobiographical acts of southern slaves and examines the structure and origin of such narratives to find an answer.
From the Paper "Baker finds that the autobiographical impulse is part of the American tradition and began with the Puritans, and because of this connection, the impulse has about it some of the same sense of righteous purpose. Baker says that the white writer had a sense of being part of a new cultural experience. The white writer always thought of himself as capable of heading a new and great tradition, and they saw their works as having an importance and a permanence that added both credibility and weight to them. Baker finds, though, that there was a distinction between black and white culture that was seen in the narrative produced as well: Moved to introspection by the apparent "blankness" that surrounded him, the black, southern field slave had scarcely any a priori assumptions to act as stays in his quest for self-definition. He was a man of the diaspora, a displaced person imprisoned by an inhumane system (96)."
Abstract This paper follows the historical development of Clifford's theory of ethnographic authority. It also attempts to expand upon these notions, especially as they pertain to developments in the last decade and the new notion of anthropologist as autobiographer. It discusses the evolution of this field, and how in the last few years an increasingly popular form of anthropology has centered around the use of autobiographical writing, and it's impact on the field.
From the Paper "It appears almost as if, some twelve years after Clifford's article, the history of hermeneutics he discussed and critiqued has come full circle. The pronoun 'the' used in description has become 'I,' and the professionalization of anthropology has, while anything but disintegrated, at least had to re-recognize the power of voices outside its own. This adds an interesting new chapter to Clifford's discussion of hermeneutics. Not that all, or even a large amount, of anthropology has become autobiographical in nature. Nor does it mean that this is necessarily an all positive and un-critiqued movement. Not only is the idea of an autobiographer and self ethnographer not widely accepted, but there are still very few traditional ethnographic texts with a large voice by informants."
Abstract This paper explores the autobiographical nature of Sylvia Plath's poem "Lady Lazarus." The paper describes the poet's use of the facts of her own inner life to make a universal statement about the human condition. It also discusses the symbolism of her references to the Holocaust within her poem. The paper concludes that Plath's poem is more than a simple autobiographical work.
From the Paper "In effect, her poem describes life itself as an ongoing act of dying. At the same time, it is seen as something of a miracle whenever someone reappears each day, essentially emerging from death and marveling at the reactions of others. Plath writes about her own life, but she does so in a way that is revealing to others. Other women may feel as trapped as she does and may empathize with her plight. Men as well can see into the working of her mind and discover something about themselves and the way they may also have similar feelings and reactions to life."
Abstract The paper studies the extent to which the protagonist is an autobiographical portrait. It looks at Fitzgerald's critique of contemporary America and compares and contrasts the characteristics of the author with that of his protagonist.
From the Paper "In his desperate rendition of the ?American Dream,? F. Scott Fitzgerald uses a complex method of autobiographical distance to critique contemporary America in The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald writes his title character Jay Gatsby both as an autobiographical portrait and allegorical figure. Through the failings of Gatsby, Fitzgerald demonstrate the failings, both theoretical and actual, of the ?Jazz Age.?
Furthermore, though the difficulty in fully appropriating Gatsby as a total autobiographical stand-in, Fitzgerald illuminates the problematic status of not just autobiography itself, but of literary representation."
Abstract This paper examines the illustrative story, "Nihilist Girl," written by Sofya Kovalevskaia. It contains many references that indicate to the reader that it is both an autobiographical and fictional account of her life in Russia. The paper details how many different events and people helped influence and shape her life. Some of the different topics discussed include conflict between tradition and modernity in society, the role of women in society, rebellion, the nihilist movement and the influences of different family members in her life decisions.
From the Paper "If we look to the life of Sofia Vasilevna Kovalevskaya the work may have been a self exorcism, to let the story communicate a message that she did not feel free to preach. In her own life she accepted the boundaries that were placed on her in terms of social norms and the way she should give the appearance of conforming to them.
Her sister was a major influence, introducing her to many in the Nihilist movement, and as such we may see the reason for the protagonist being abased on her sister. It was also with her sister that the first plot to try and gain an education was hatched. Sofya would try and act as a companion to her sister should her sister be able to find a husband and travel."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth analysis and examination of the contribution that William Shakespeare made to the literary world. The author details Shakespeare's mysterious life, including speculation as to who he may have really been. The paper covers the many different themes covered in his many plays including ambition, cruelty, justice, reconciliation, madness, betrayal and destiny that were found in Macbeth, King Lear, Hamlet and Julius Caesar. The author finds that Shakespeare also used his plays to comment on political events such as in Julius Caesar, Comedy of Errors and Henry VIII. Throughout the paper the author details his masterful understanding of the human character and unparalleled mastery of the English language, a rich imagination and commentary on life in the early 18th century. Shakespeare also wrote over 150 sonnets and there is some speculation that they may have been autobiographical, but once again the author finds that there is no proof.
From the Paper "How is Shakespeare viewed by great figures of the theater? Shakespeare is the greatest discernible influence in the work of Orson Wells (Gottlieb 2000). ? a theatrical and cinematic director, actor, entrepreneur, public figure, and educational and political activist. Wells describes Shakespeare as embodying the fulfillment of almost utopian personal and sociopolitical desires, a figure of considerable stature, power and popularity, a truly great one who bridges the worlds of critical and commercial success. Shakespeare, in Wells? mind, merges individual imagination and artistic independence with tradition and social responsibility, and emphasizes that he has that unparalleled capacity ?to entertain, educate, transport and ultimately unify divergent audiences, high and low.? (Gottlieb)"
Abstract This paper discusses Carver as a writer whose common themes are the basics of life and people's struggles. The author states that Carver's stories are largely autobiographical. The paper presents some of Carver's writings especially his short stories in his book, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love".
From the Paper "Before considering how Carver's life impacted on his work, it is useful to give a brief biography of his life. Carver was born in Oregon to parents who both worked in low-paying jobs and struggled to support the family. Carver's alcoholic father died at age 53, leaving Carver's mother to support the family. Carver began working at unskilled jobs early in his life and married at age 20, already having two children to his wife Christine. Carver, like his father, began drinking early, developing the alcoholism that would continue for half of his life. Carver's drinking continued until 1977, accompanied by financial and marital problems. In 1977 he entered rehab for alcoholism. It was in this period after beating the alcoholism that Carver's short story collections were released. These included Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? (1977), What We Talk About When We Talk About Love (1981), Cathedral (1984), and Where I'm Calling From (1988). Carver died of lung cancer in 1988."
This paper examines how the Great Depression is portrayed in three different literary works: "The Company She Keeps," "Native Son" and "The Grapes of Wrath."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the portrayal of Depression-era society in three diverse literary works. Georgia Durante's, "The Company She Keeps," is an autobiographical look at how the Depression affected the world of organized crime through as seen through the eyes of a mafia wife. John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" looks at human relationships and how they were affected through the portrayal of the life of the migrant worker. Richard Wright's "Native Son," discusses the role that segregation and racism played in the struggles of blacks to survive the 1930s. The author compares the three different novels and feels that the "Grapes of Wrath" is the most comprehensive portrayal of Depression-era life in America.
From the Paper "The Grapes of Wrath also explores multiple facets of the effects of the Great Depression on the general public. Not only does it examine the way families were affected by the economic hardships of the times, it also shows what happened when people were forced to move to find work, what life was like in migrant camps, and how people began to band together to promote the rights of the workers and to engage in collectivist action. Human relationships are also a big part of this book. The Great Depression naturally affected the way that people related to each other, and The Grapes of Wrath explores how family relationships as well as relationships with friends, neighbors, and strangers were all changed by the economic crisis. A reading of The Grapes of Wrath makes one feel as if one actually understands on many levels the pressures and deprivations of the times, because it explores so many areas of the Depression experience. The Grapes of Wrath is a holistic book while Native Son and The Company She Keeps are specialists."
Abstract Analysis of Bao Ninh's autobiographical novel. Summarizes the timeframe (Post American withdrawl from Vietnam), plot and ideas of the novel. Psychological trauma suffered by protagonist who fought with North Vietnamese. Episodic presentation of events. Protagonist's memory of his early days in the Vietnam War Book's message that war transforms the nature of human consciousness.
From the Paper "This research examines the autobiographical novel The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh, who was a North Vietnamese soldier during the Vietnam War and a ten-year veteran of the military. The research will set forth a summary of the novel and then discuss the pattern of ideas in the narrative and the means by which Ninh makes the ideas emerge, with a view toward identifying the message the author intends to convey through the work.
Opening just after the rainy season, which is also several months after the American withdrawal from Vietnam in April 1975, The Sorrow of War introduces the soldier Kien, now in his late twenties, who is participating in a missing-in-action "remains-gathering" team in a muddy jungle. Young as Kien is, he is a seasoned veteran of war action lasting some ten years, and this clean..."
Abstract Analysis of Elie Wiesel's 1958 autobiographical account of his life during the Holocaust. Discusses the book as an exploration of personal identity. Centers on the ordeals Wiesel faced and how he lived through the horrors. His changed concept of God. Life in the concentration camp. Destruction of his family and his faith.
From the Paper "Introduction
Elie Wiesel's autobiographical account of his life through the period of the Holocaust, Night, is a terrifying account of the horrors of that period through the eyes of a child who sees his family killed and whose own spirit is sorely tested even these many years later as he looks back on these events. The book is powerful and affecting, and it also serves as a very strong portrayal of the entire era of which the Holocaust is a part. This book presents the real effects of history, not the changes in leadership and the movements of armies but the changes in the lives of real individuals who become the victims of other people's hatreds an ambitions. The book can also be seen as an exploration of personal identity and an attempt for one man to come to grips with the fact that he has survived..."
