Date of Award
10-20-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Rhetoric and Writing
First Advisor
Londie Martin
Abstract
This thesis is a rhetorical analysis of the genre of memoir specifically examining the language used to define, describe, and critique the genre, focusing on the ways the language undermines memoir’s generic value. Since the 1990’s memoir has become increasingly popular, but lacks much academic investigation or critique into the conventions of the genre, though it has amassed much criticism. The genre’s rhetorical situation is at odds with general academic standards because inquiry must come before conclusive evaluations. To bridge this gap in scholarship, I have used methods of rhetorical criticism to analyze the definitions of memoir produced by five definitive scholarly and popular artifacts. I conclude that memoir’s problem results from borrowed, outdated, and conflating conventions from the disciplines of history and literature, and call for further scholarship that would define memoir on its own terms and subject (human memory), and clarification as a rhetorical genre.
Recommended Citation
Dill, Annmarie Lynn, "Searching Infinity for Authentic Form: The Problem of Memoir" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 790.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/790
