Breaking the Biography - 780 Words

What exactly is a biography? According to Dictionary.com it is â€Å"a written account of another person’s life†. However, that is a very broad definition, so I have decided add on to this definition to make my own definition of what I believe a biography to be. A biography is a written account of another person’s life told by an individual outside of the story. In Art Spiegelman’s Maus, although pushing the boundaries, certain sections of the book could best be described as a â€Å"biography† through the way they are written. One aspect that sets this biography apart from others is the medium used. While most biographies are purely written and tell the story of the subject’s life, Maus is (or could be considered) a graphic biography, if there is such a thing. It is both written and illustrated by Art Spiegelman, who happens to be the subject’s son. By using a mixture of drawings, dialogue and commentary, Spiegelman is able to t ell the story of his father’s experiences during World War II. This is another factor that sets it apart from other biographies; it doesn’t follow Spiegelman’s father, Vladek Spiegelman’s life in its entirety, but instead focuses primarily on his life during World War II. By using drawings to depict scenes certain scenes, it allows the reader to visualize exactly what Spiegelman wants them to see. It allows his creative expression and freedom to run wild and create a unique way to tell the story of his father. The ‘biography’ actually begins at theShow MoreRelatedEssay on Biography of Michael Phelps891 Words   |  4 PagesMichael Phelps Biography). He has two sisters, Whitney and Hilary (JackBio: Michael Phelps Biography). Both of them took up swimming when they were young and Michael followed in their footsteps (JackBio: Michael Phelps Biography). 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