American Autobiography: A Perspective

Autobiography in America becomes undoubtedly a lively interest both in and out of academe at present time. Autobiographical mode strongly marks American writing from the start and autobiography fully flowers as a literary genre in America. The writing course of American autobiography may be roughly divided into four periods chronologically. The history of autobiographical writing in America is relatively short, but solidly established as a literary genre.There are at least two factors found seemingly specific to America contributing to the prosperity of this genre, that is, one is the so-called American Dream, and the other, the American Individualism. Autobiographical act is not only as a literary expression of the personal fulfillment, but as a moral performance. By presenting their personal stories, autobiographers attempt not only to make sense of their lives but also to suggest a set of moral norms and values.Culture finds its way in autobiography, and the pluralist nature of American culture has been decisive in the development of American autobiography. Life history provides a valuable resource for speculating concretely about cultural change and the larger problem of periodizing history, it is, therefore, not surprising that it holds an attraction not only to literary critics and theorists of the self and of the genre, but to sociologists, anthropologists, psychiatrists, philosophers, and even theologians.Autobiography is unquestionably a document about a life, but it is also a work of art; autobiographical writing is aware of its stylistic harmony and the beauty of its images.The land of America feeds up its autobiography; likewise, American autobiography defines America. This link makes autobiographical mode become a new kingdom of literary genre in this land, and America a kingdom of autobiography.