Final answer:
An author may write a memoir to provide an in-depth and emotionally resonant account of personal experiences, focusing on authenticity and the ability to connect with readers on a universal level. Memoirs allow exploration of cultural contexts and personal catharsis, offering a perspective and depth not typically found in short stories.
Step-by-step explanation:
An author might choose to write in the memoir form instead of the short story form to provide a reflective, in-depth look at a specific period or aspect of their life. Unlike short stories which may present fictional accounts and are often more focused on plot and characters within a condensed format, memoirs allow writers to deeply explore personal experiences, emotions, and the lessons learned from them. Memoirs are grounded in reality and truth, offering readers an intimate and often emotionally charged perspective on the author's life.
Memoirs, like a carefully arranged photo album or a series of connected snapshots, provide a way for authors to share their personal life with an emotional authenticity that resonates with readers. By focusing on personal events and the broader cultural and social implications, memoirs can achieve a universal appeal, where readers find common ground and shared experiences through the narrative.
More so than in short stories, memoirs offer the opportunity to delve into the cultural aspect of events, providing commentary and insights into the time period or the broader social context in which the events occurred. The format of a memoir encourages readers to engage with the narrative in a very personal way, as they may relate the author’s experiences to their own lives.
Lastly, a memoir can serve as a cathartic exercise for the author, offering a platform to work through and make sense of their past in a way that a more structured and often fictionalized short story might not allow. Memoirs can serve various purposes, from healing to educating to simply entertaining, but always with a strong underpinning of personal truth and experience.