“Fluidity” is the means to the end in all that we do. What is fluidity, and how does it affect the craft of writing a memoir? The concept of writing with the idea of the words “flowing” in a manner that makes sense to everyone is fluidity. In “Nothing but the Truth”, the author address what fluidity is by stating, “ “I used to be bad, but now I’m good,” Eat, Pray, Love seems to say.” This statement alone is the implied meaning that what used to be is not what it is now. Therefore, addressing the now and not the past. With that being said, fluidity affects the craft of a memoir a lot. The main reason is because a memoir is a story of a life changing event or of a situation or situations that have impacted the life of an individual. Therefore, the concept of fluidity only allows for there to be transparency with the author and the audience that the author is addressing. “In The Art of Memoir, Mary Karr repeatedly emphasizes the same sort of moral compass, where north isn’t the direction of legalistic truths, but truths that are more difficult to discern: Is this really how I felt at that time in my life, or do I only wish I was that self-aware?”
The liars club, written by Mary Karr is one of my personal favorite memoirs. This memior shares the childhood struggles that the author experienced growing up. These struggles were those that were based on a father who was an alcoholic and a mother that was menatlity instable to take care of her. Also, this memoir shares the terrible experiences that the author faced from the hands of her own father. "Our family doctor knelt before me where I sat on a mattress on the bare floor. . . . He was pulling at the hem of my favorite nightgown. . . . 'Show me the marks,' he said. 'Come on, now. I won't hurt you.' " The author’s ability to share her experiences really made me think about my own life experiences and what my own childhood was with my parents. Blurred lines in the story by the author would definitely change my perspective of what is fact and fiction. Growing up, for the most part in a household with both of my parents for most of my life made me realize the type of lifestyle I was brought up in based on what the author in “The Liar’s Club” was brought up in. Furthermore, the concept of fluidity is evident in “The Liars Club”, based on the authenticity of the material. Also, based on the implied motives that happened in the author's life.
Transferring the memoir to a blog could be done. A blog is a personal experience or the experiences that an individual goes through, presenting those experiences in a way that others can relate. A memoir is the life experiences of an individual, sharing those experiences in the most factual manner possible.
I’m interested in reading “The Liar’s Club”. I’ve heard of it before and it’s definitely well respected. Nice recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI may be mistaken, but I think Karr received a backlash for embellishing her story.
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