How important are the words ‘So What?’ in an autobiography?
Throughout this year, I have read many autobiographies. This diverse literature has grown my English capability to another level. I can read faster, I have expanded my vocabulary, and I have learned to think philosophically. I can ask questions and conjure ideas. This is not only helpful for English, but these are skills I can use throughout the rest of my life. I have become a problem solver, and always trying to learn new things. Each book I have read has somehow helped me and my life. Every story and narrative, I find fascinating and still useful in the world today. Reading about the hardships of slavery has changed the way I view my own problems and struggles. I have learned the importance of grit, and pushing through, even though it seems impossible. I have learned what times used to be like. I can understand and have context, because of the books I have read. As said before, All of these stories have helped start to ask questions and better understand the world around me. One question I have found the most important is the question of “So What?”
As said previously, I have read a diverse group of autobiographies. From newsmen, to slaves, I have seen lots of American history as well as history and stories from all over the world. Throughout reading these I have discovered an important question “ So What?” Why does this matter? Is this meaningful? If this question cannot be answered with an autobiography, then most likely, a reader will be lost. The book will fail. However, If this question can be answered than the book has meaning. Every story in an autobiography should answer this question. It should enthrall the reader, and make them not want to put the book down. Most of the books I have read to this. For example, 12 years a slave was about a man kidnapped and sold into slavery. This was an extremely gripping account of his 12 years in slavery. Every chapter answered the question so what. Jim Lear, wrote an autobiography which also answered this question, every chapter was meaningful and well written.
Other books fail at this however. The book Walden is a perfect example. Written by Henry David Thoreau , he wrote his autobiography while living in a cabin in the woods. He did not include background information on his life. He did not attempt to entrap the reader. Rather he projected his theories and showed he was a hypocrite. In the book he talked about hating the division of labor. He claimed to be independent from it. This was the opposite. He was completely dependent on it. He built a house on someone else’s land. He bought tools and commodities from the town he was near. He even bought seed and hired men to work a farm for him. His book failed to answer the question so what. This is the most important question in an autobiography.
The Question “So What” is very important in writing an autobiography. The book will become boring and not interesting quickly if this question cannot be answered. This question is extremely important. After reading this many books, one gets an idea of what makes a good autobiography good. Having detail, and bumf will answer this question, making sure what is being read matters, and matters to the reader. Even a normal life is exciting and meaningful.
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