Autobiography Quote by Doris Lessing
“Once I read autobiography as what the writer thought about his or her life. Now I think, 'This is what they thought at that time'. An interim report - that is what an autobiography is.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Autobiography, Doris Lessing, 1975
An autobiography reflects the writer’s past perspective, not a definitive truth, showing how self‑understanding evolves.
In simple terms: Autobiographies capture past thoughts, not final facts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the fluid nature of personal narratives.
Themes
memory
subjectivity
identity
Mood
nostalgic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing memoirs
- historical research
- personal therapy
Key Concepts
narrative truth
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does time change your view of past events?
- What responsibilities do autobiographers have to truth?
A Different Perspective
Memories can be selective and biased.
