So What?

Two words that, when strung together, can make or break a reputation are:

‘So’ and ‘what’

And in THAT ORDER.

Preferably with a question mark at the end of the duo.

For example: If your autobiography includes a natural disaster where many people are killed, and you write ‘So what?’, you will be labeled as selfish and insensitive. (And if you mean it, you probably ARE.)

However: If you write about a personal disaster, such as a humiliating moment or a crushing defeat, and write ‘So What?’, (possibly followed up with ‘that’s not gonna stop me!’) Then you will be taken as a perseverant, confident, person. It all depends on how it’s written.

Washington’s Childhood

Booker T. Washington was born into slavery. In his autobiography, he gives us a summary on his early years; which he spent as a slave. Washington describes one of his earliest memories being of his mother cooking a chicken which she stole from the ‘big house’. He does not think it was wrong for her to steal then. Another story is of when Washington was older and was given the job of fanning the dining table to keep away flies. While doing this job, he noticed some of the ladies were eating cookies, and decided that one of his goals would be to eat a cookie when he was free. You can tell from his stories and descriptions. (And probably without them) that Washington highly disapproved of slavery.

Descriptions

Booker T. Washington’s autobiography is very descriptive. One of the most memorable images from his narrative is the descriptions of what several families did for Christmas. Some children had firecrackers, and others had ginger cookies. One family had a few lumps of sugar cane to divide amongst themselves, and another had a brand-new pistol. The way these families celebrate the holidays contrasts greatly with the way we do. Our celebrations are very extravagant compared to theirs. This is most likely the reason these descriptions stick out to me. Great contrasts tend to make things more noticeable. (And contrast is VERY important.)

Opinions on the Future…

The way I see it, the future can go many different ways from here. Two that stick out to me are the two opposites. One way I see the future is that it’s all downhill from here. That’s probably going to happen unless we make some changes for the better to create the other future I think is possible. In the other future, (a century or two later) there are still wars, but not so often. There is still hunger, but much less than there is now. Pollution will have ceased, resulting in fewer endangered species and a cleaner planet. I think my second view on the future is somewhat similar to Washington’s, at least in the way that the world is a better place. (And in my opinion, two things that we really need are a growth ray to increase the size and supply of food and water, and a shrink ray so that we can shrink garbage, waste and smog.)

Plunkitt’s Strategy

George W. Plunkitt’s strategy for winning elections was being nice to people. He gave money to families dealing with crisis such as a fire, invited young people to join clubs depending on their interests, and gave children candy. (To the children, “a sight of ‘Uncle George’ and candy meant the same thing.”) He also helped people get jobs. (Both potential voters and political rivals.) When Tammany (Plunkitt’s political party) won an election, Plunkitt helped even more than usual. The way I see it, he was very serious about helping people get jobs. Especially if it would win him votes.

Plunkitt and his Openness

In his autobiography, Plunkitt was very open about many things. Including how he made his money. The reason for this could have been because he wanted to help others succeed, but I think it is more likely that in real life, he wasn’t that open about it at all. His autobiography was not written by him, (so it’s not really an autobiography. Just a biography.) so the actual author probably included some conversations that were not meant for the whole world to hear. Then again, Plunkitt talked about how what he was doing was ‘honest graft’, so maybe he was open about it because he wanted everyone to know that he thought what he was doing was okay.

Northup vs Eliza

When Northup was separated from his wife and children, he was upset, but kept his dignity. He kept his hopes up, and believed he might see them again one day. Eliza, a fellow slave, reacted completely differently when her children were bought and separated from her. She begged the owners to buy her as well, and when they didn’t she was devastated. Her health deteriorated, and she was rarely happy from that day on.

Contrast in Northup’s Autobiography

Solomon Northup often used contrast as a technique throughout his autobiography. Contrast seems like a simple technique, that creates a powerful impact. I can use contrast in my own autobiography, and in other writings, by contrasting mood with weather (someone in an awfully foul mood on an awfully sunny and warm day), love with hatred (a dog’s unconditional love versus the scowls and snarls of humanity), etc.

Show, Don’t Tell

In my honest opinion, letting the audience know how you view life in your autobiography-especially in an early chapter-isn’t that important. I mean, you’re there to tell a story, not Philosophize. Anyways, if you’re a half-decent writer your views on life should be obvious through your writing. You don’t need to tell the audience flat-out that you’re an optimist or pessimist. Show, don’t tell, after all.

Darwin’s Autobiography

Charles Darwin’s autobiography is short. It could really take place in any number of eras, because he doesn’t really describe the world around him. If I wrote an autobiography, I’d put in a lot about my day-to-day life and routines, as well as much about the lives of others. Though probably more of other’s lives than mine.(Who knows? It might help out historians of the future!) Darwin didn’t include a lot about his family. He did, however, include a lot about his work and research. Probably because it was what he lived for.