Shall I part my hair behind Do I dare to eat a peach I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me.
T. S. EliotRead
Everything is autobiography, even if one writes something that is totally objective. The fact that it's a subject that seizes you makes it autobiographical.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that personal experiences and perspectives influence all writing, regardless of its objectivity.
Lisel Mueller emphasizes that every piece of writing reflects the author's personal experiences and perceptions, even when attempting to be purely factual. The connection an author feels to a subject shapes their portrayal, making it inherently autobiographical. Writing, therefore, is not just a reflection of objective reality, but also a mirror to the writer's inner world.
Themes
AutobiographyWritingPerspectiveSubjectivityPersonal Experience
In practice
Example use cases
In a creative writing workshop, to explain how personal experiences shape storytelling.
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