Biography

Introduction

A biography as a literary device is employed primarily in narrative writing to delve into a character’s life history, providing a detailed description of their background, experiences, and personal developments. This device is not just about listing events but is used to give readers insight into the influences that shape characters’ behaviors, decisions, and their interactions with others in the story. Biographies within literature can be factual, based on real people, or entirely fictional, crafted to add depth to a character in a novel, play, or other narrative forms. Utilizing this device effectively allows authors to create complex, relatable characters whose journeys can engage the reader on a more profound level.

Pronunciation: /baɪˈɒɡ.rə.fi/

When do writers use the Biography literary device?

Writers use the biography literary device when they need to establish a deep and nuanced character profile that aids in driving the narrative forward. This tool is particularly useful in genres such as historical fiction, memoirs, and dramas where the character’s background plays a pivotal role in the unfolding story. By incorporating a biography, authors provide a comprehensive view of a character’s past, highlighting pivotal moments that have shaped their identity. This background is crucial in helping the audience understand and relate to the character’s motivations, conflicts, and transformations throughout the story.

How should I use the Biography literary device?

To effectively use the biography literary device in your writing, consider the following guidelines:

1. Relevance to the Story: Ensure that the biographical details you include are relevant to the main narrative and contribute to the character’s development or the story’s progression.
2. Depth and Complexity: Create a biography that adds depth and complexity to your character. Include key events that have significant emotional or psychological impacts, shaping the character’s personality and future decisions.
3. Integration into the Narrative: Weave the biographical details smoothly into the narrative. Rather than isolating them as a standalone section, integrate snippets of the character’s background naturally through dialogues, flashbacks, or reflections.
4. Balance: Maintain a balance between the biography and the plot. While it’s important to provide background, ensure it does not overwhelm the main story.
5. Character Contrast: Use biographies to contrast different characters in your story, highlighting how different backgrounds can lead to different life paths and perspectives.

Following these rules can make the biography literary device a powerful tool to enhance your narrative and enrich your characters’ portrayals.

Types of Biography

There are several types of biographies, each offering a different perspective and depth of insight into the subject’s life. The primary types include:

1. Autobiography: Written by the subject themselves, autobiographies offer a personal, first-person account of the individual’s life. This type delves into personal experiences and internal reflections.
2. Memoir: Similar to an autobiography but focused more on a specific theme, period, or series of events within the author’s life rather than the entire life story. Memoirs are subjective and often center around a particular emotional or experiential impact.
3. Authorized Biography: Written with the permission, cooperation, and sometimes participation of the subject or their family. These are often comprehensive and include interviews with the subject.
4. Unauthorized Biography: Compiled without the subject’s permission, which can sometimes lead to controversies, especially if the biography reveals sensitive or private information.
5. Academic Biography: These are written with a focus on scholarly interest, heavily researched, and are often a study of someone who has made significant contributions to or had a substantial impact on a field or culture.
6. Historical Biography: Focuses on historical figures, providing a detailed context of their lives, the historical events they influenced, or were influenced by.
7. Popular Biography: These are written for mass consumption, often focusing on celebrities or public figures. They are accessible and designed to entertain as much as inform.

Biography in Literature

Biography in literature has been a vital aspect of many famous works. Here are some notable examples:

1. “The Life of Samuel Johnson” by James Boswell – Considered one of the greatest biographies in the English language, this work comprehensively portrays the life of the lexicographer, critic, and poet Samuel Johnson.
2. “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela – An autobiographical work that details the life of the South African leader Nelson Mandela, focusing on his struggle against apartheid.
3. “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson – A biography based on more than forty interviews with Jobs over two years, as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues.
4. “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank – Although a diary, it is often treated like an autobiography, providing a poignant, personal biography of Anne Frank’s days during the Nazi occupation.
5. “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow – This biography inspired the famous musical “Hamilton” and provides a detailed account of Alexander Hamilton’s life and legacy.

Biography in Children’s Books

Biographies in children’s books often aim to educate and inspire young readers. Some famous examples include:

1. “Who Was Albert Einstein?” by Jess Brallier – Part of the “Who Was?” series, this book provides a simplified but detailed account of Einstein’s life and achievements.
2. “I am Rosa Parks” by Brad Meltzer – This book, part of the “Ordinary People Change the World” series, tells the story of Rosa Parks in a way that’s accessible and inspiring for children.
3. “The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller – Although for slightly older children, this autobiography of Helen Keller provides insight into the challenges she overcame and her accomplishments.

Biography in Poetry

Biographical elements are often woven into poetry to enhance the narrative or express intimate life experiences. Famous examples include:

1. “The Prelude” by William Wordsworth – An autobiographical poem that details Wordsworth’s early life and his development as a poet.
2. “Ariel” by Sylvia Plath – This collection of poems contains elements from Plath’s own life, vividly expressing her personal struggles and emotions.
3. “Life Studies” by Robert Lowell – This book of poems broke new ground by mixing biography with poetry, offering a personal look into Lowell’s experiences and his battles with mental illness.

These examples showcase how biography as a literary device can vary in form but consistently serves to deepen our understanding of individuals, whether real or fictional, across various genres and mediums.

Biography in Songs

Songs often serve as potent vehicles for storytelling, including personal and biographical accounts. Here are ten famous examples where songs act as biographies:

1. “Hurricane” by Bob Dylan – Chronicles the story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer wrongfully imprisoned for murder.
2. “Alexander Hamilton” from Hamilton: An American Musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda – Summarizes the early life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.
3. “Stan” by Eminem – Tells a fictional story through letters from a fan to the rapper, reflecting his life’s impact on his listeners.
4. “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John – Originally a tribute to Marilyn Monroe and later adapted in memory of Princess Diana.
5. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton – While not a complete biography, it reflects personal experiences through its narrative.
6. “The Ballad of John and Yoko” by The Beatles – Chronicles the events around John Lennon’s marriage to Yoko Ono.
7. “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by Loretta Lynn – Autobiographical song that details Lynn’s upbringing in rural Kentucky.
8. “Frankie and Johnny” – A traditional American song telling the story of a woman named Frankie who was betrayed by her lover, Johnny.
9. “American Pie” by Don McLean – A more cryptic narrative reflecting America’s cultural and political landscape of the 1950s to the early 1970s.
10. “Man in Black” by Johnny Cash – Cash explains his dress code as a symbol of social justice and sorrow for the less fortunate.

Biography in Movies

Biographical films, or biopics, dramatize the life of a historical, cultural, or influential figure, often highlighting crucial moments of their personal and professional experiences. Here are some notable biopics:

1. “The Theory of Everything” – The life of Stephen Hawking, focusing on his early years, diagnosis of motor neuron disease, and his success in physics.
2. “Schindler’s List” – The story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust.
3. “Gandhi” – A comprehensive account of Mahatma Gandhi’s life and his non-violent struggle for India’s independence.
4. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Chronicles the rise of the band Queen through their music and extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury.
5. “Ray” – Life of legendary musician Ray Charles, capturing his musical innovation and the challenges he faced with racism and his blindness.
6. “Amadeus” – A dramatized biography of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told from the perspective of his rival Antonio Salieri.
7. “Lincoln” – Focuses on President Abraham Lincoln’s efforts in January 1865 to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
8. “Malcolm X” – A portrayal of the influential and controversial figure Malcolm X, from his early life to his assassination.
9. “Walk the Line” – The life of country music legend Johnny Cash and his romance with June Carter.
10. “A Beautiful Mind” – Follows the life of John Nash, a brilliant but asocial mathematician and his struggles with schizophrenia.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Biography

“Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” – “The Shawshank Redemption”

Relevant Movie Clip Demonstrating Biography

This clip from “The Theory of Everything” illustrates the challenges and triumphs in Stephen Hawking’s life, particularly focusing on his diagnosis and academic successes.

Biography in Advertising

Biographies in advertising often leverage the stories of real people to create compelling narratives that promote products or brands. Here are some examples:

1. Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaign – Features athletes who have overcome personal and professional hurdles, such as LeBron James and Serena Williams.
2. Apple’s “Think Different” Campaign – Used iconic historical figures like Albert Einstein and Martin Luther King Jr., celebrating those who have changed the world with their imagination.
3. Dove’s “Real Beauty” Campaign – Showcases real women with diverse body types, ages, and ethnic backgrounds, diverging from typical beauty standards.

Biography Related Literary Devices

1. Anecdote: A brief narrative involving presumably real figures and events, used often within larger texts as a biographical tool.
2. Characterization: The creation and elaboration of characters, often using biographical elements to make them realistic and relatable.
3. Flashback: A method of reflecting back on a character’s past or an earlier period, often used to provide context or background to the biography.
4. Persona: The aspect of someone’s character that is presented to or perceived by others within a narrative, often used in autobiographical poems or songs.
5. Stream of Consciousness: A narrative mode that depicts the myriad thoughts and feelings which pass through the mind. It can be used to present a character’s life history in a more subjective and intimate way.