In an era characterized by diminishing attention spans, most art forms have adapted by becoming more concise. Pop songs are shorter, TV seasons have fewer episodes, and even children’s books have shrunk significantly since the 1930s. Adult bestsellers have also decreased in length over the past decade. However, biography remains an exception, continuing to be a lengthy and detailed genre.
Biographies often exceed 900 pages, complete with extensive footnotes and family trees. Despite the trend towards brevity in other literary forms, biographies remain robust and continue to sell well. Recent examples include new assessments of well-known figures like Mark Twain, Paul Gauguin, and Gertrude Stein, as well as a biography about a biography: ‘Ellmann’s Joyce’ by Zachary Leader.
The genre of biography has remained faithful to its core interest in exploring character development and the complexities of human motivation. According to Gertrude Stein, biography is the literary form that best captures the entirety of a person’s life. The genre has evolved over time, reflecting changing conceptions of motivation and personality theories.
Biographers’ interpretations of their subjects can vary significantly depending on the era and available information. For instance, explanations for D.H. Lawrence’s temper have ranged from his upbringing to his health issues. Similarly, debates continue over the motivations behind Sylvia Plath’s suicide. The availability of new archival materials often leads to fresh biographical interpretations, as seen in the case of James Baldwin following the release of his previously restricted correspondence.
Modern biographies tend to emphasize the complexity and fragility of identity rather than presenting a unified, definitive portrait. Biographers like Magdalena J. Zaborowska, in her work on James Baldwin, focus on previously overlooked aspects of their subjects’ lives, such as Baldwin’s erotic and sexual experiences. This approach reflects a broader shift towards understanding identity as multifaceted and mysterious.
Veteran biographers like Hermione Lee admire how their subjects often preserve their privacy, making it challenging to capture their true essence. Many subjects, including Tom Stoppard and Adrienne Rich, have been noted for their elusiveness, even to themselves. The search for a singular self is a recurring theme in biographical works, with some subjects, like Christopher Isherwood and Candy Darling, struggling with identity and performance throughout their lives.
