As you read, look for themes that surround the writer’s life. Is there a focus on relationships with family, friends or the community? You may notice the writer focuses on hardships throughout her life, and some of these examples may include illness, death, drug abuse or homelessness. In some cases, there may be more than one theme running through the autobiography. Identifying the themes in the text will help you understand the writer’s roots and the emotions she attaches to her story.
The period when the writer lived or lives may play a role in the story. If the writer comes from another generation or historical period, look at the differences and similarities between the time the writer lived and the present day. Are there social changes that happened between the time of the writer’s life and the present day? If so, consider the ways this may have affected the writer’s choices throughout her life. For example, if the writer is a woman, were women expected to stay home with children? Did she have ambitions that conflicted with societal expectations? Evaluating the historical and social impact will help you understand the writer and may also help you understand more about a particular time.
Some autobiographies may show the way certain life events changed the writer. The writer may want to do more than tell about a moment in her life, but, instead, show its impact. For example, in Cheryl Strayed’s memoir, "Wild," she writes about her more than a thousand-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail and how this helped her come to terms with the loss in her life. In such stories, a writer can show more than just a life event, such as loss of a parent, demonstrating how a particular moment or event shaped the rest of her life. Once you see the changes a writer went though, you will have a deeper understanding of her story, and this may help you evaluate changes in your own life.
At times, one of the most insightful methods of studying an autobiography comes from making personal connections to the writer and her story. Did you have a similar childhood or attend the same school? Finding ways to connect and compare your life to the writer’s could help you evaluate your feelings about the writer. You may find that it helps you consider your own path and the effects of your choices.