WEEK 6: Analyzing Memoirs

1). A good memoir draws in a reader, so he or she can discover something new. Can you "see" yourself in either of these stories? If so, what?; If not, why?

I definitely see myself in both of these stories!  I can see myself in the story "Cousins" in the way that the author says that although nothing was said, they just "knew."  I feel like I have a lot of these moments in life and although if nothing is said you really don't "know" but sometimes that feeling comes just because it was the right time for it to happen.  And I see myself in the story "Growing Up in Therapy" in the way that I TOO (like literally everyone else) have those random, quirky, uncomfortable thoughts that NOBODY talked about because they're exactly that...random.... quirky.... and uncomfortable.  While we do not have all of the same experiences, of course, it is always calming to learn about other people's personal lives in a world filled with never letting anyone see you on a bad day.  

2). Do these writers over tell their stories? Do they tell or show? Address the description and visualization? Do you need more details?

I don't think either writers over tell their story but I think this might be different person to person because Lena Dunham's story was very deep and personal and while it was intriguing to read for me, it might be too much for someone else.  I think both writers both tell and show their stories because I was able to visualize everything that was going on as I was reading them.

3). Do you get a sense of truth-telling in these two stories? 

I definitely get a sense of truth-telling in the story Cousins, however, although fun to read and seemingly honest, I find it hard to really trust that everything in Lena Dunham's story is definitely true because I know that kind of person Lena Dunham is so I always second guess the things she says and does.  If I did not have any prior knowledge of Lena Dunham, I am sure I would feel like this story is very truthful as well.