Quote by Philip Guedalla

Biography is a very definite region bounded on the north by history, on the south by fiction, on the east by obituary, and on the west by tedium.

Biography is a very definite region bounded on the north by

Summary

This quote by Philip Guedalla highlights the distinct nature of biography writing. Biography, according to Guedalla, lies between the borders of history and fiction, as it draws upon real events and life stories but also has room for creative interpretation. On one side, biography is constrained by historical research and factual accuracy, represented by the northern boundary of history. On the other side, it borders fiction, allowing for some embellishment or artistic liberties to engage readers. However, Guedalla also acknowledges that biography can become mundane or tedious if it ventures too far into unnecessary details, represented by the western boundary of tedium. Obituaries, meanwhile, symbolize the endpoint of an individual's biography.

Topics

Legacy

By Philip Guedalla

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