Biography as form of life narrative

By Ashish Sharma Shakun Bansal

Biographical life narrative a definition

A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. A biography is more than a list of impersonal facts (education, work, relationships, and death), it also portrays the subject's experience of those events.

Types of biographical life narrative

A. popular biographies B. historical biographies C. literary biographies D. fictional biographies

Fictional Biographical Narrative

Jeffery Archer
Paths of Glory
What if one man had a dream, and once hed fulfilled it, there was no proof that he had achieved his ambition.

ABOUT THE CHARACTER

The book is fictional biographical narrative of George Herbert Leigh Mallory, an English Mountaineer who is speculated to have climbed Mount Everest in 1924 long before Sir Edmund Hillary (1953). Mallory took part in the first three British expeditions to Mount Everest in the early 1920s. During the 1924th expedition, Mallory and his climbing partner Andrew Irvine both disappeared somewhere around the North-East ridge of Mount Everest.

 The last known sighting was only a few hundred meters from the summit. George Mallorys body was not found for another 75 years and was finally discovered in 1999. Mallorys frozen body was found with all his belongings intact. The only thing missing was a photograph of Ruth, which Mallory had promised to place on the summit. Jeffery Archers novel takes us through the whole life of Mallory starting from his Childhood , his love life , World war I ,Torn between family and his Wildest dream to conquer Everest. The original letters from Mallory to Ruth have also added to the Narrative.

Narrative
The book is divided into seven sections each covering an important phase of Mallorys life. The first part deals with his childhood where Archer beautifully captures with great detail the small incidents from Mallorys childhood. One such depiction is the incident where Mallory climbed over the brick wall surrounding Cambridge university on being late for his interview.

A small Interview conversation from the book after George arrived at his interview 15 minutes late.
My

name is George Mallory, sir. I have an appointment to see you.

Had an appointment would be more accurate, Mallory. You were expected at three oclock, and as I gave express orders that no candidate should be allowed to enter the college after that hour, I am bound to inquire how you managed to get in. I climbed over the wall, sir. You did what?

(After verifying with the gatekeeper and the Gardener and also asking Mallory to Climb back up on the wall he finally commented)
Can I come back down, sir? George asked plaintively. You most certainly can, young man, said Mr. Benson without hesitation. Its clear to me that nothing is going to stop you from entering this college.

 The second section deals with his Love life where he met Ruth Turner. The famous incident where George Mallory climbed the bell tower (325m) at Piazza San Marco (in Italy) to impress Ruth is narrated with grace and perfection. It also makes us realize that Mallory was like every other guy who left one of his expeditions to travel all the way to Italy to win over the heart of his future wife. Archer has particularly given a stunning depiction of the minute changes occuring in Mallorys behavior and his reflexes while climbing.

 The third chapter deals with his service in the World War I, which he volunteered as a bomb diffuser squad member for despite the rule exempting teachers from military service. The last four chapters deal with the expedition to Everest in detail.

 The book breaks the life of George Mallory into several stages. It lets us experience events in the his life , however small they might be, be it his College crush or the technical know-how about Mountaineering.

The author merges with the character to the extent we really feel that the narration is being given by George Mallory himself even during the most awkward moments.

 George Mallorys encounter in the world war I has been narrated with addition of numerous fictional events due to lack of knowledge of actual events during that time. Jeffery Archer himself spent 8 years researching George Mallory only after which he could truly understand the George mallory and come up with his fictional biography.

 George Mallory never believed in using Oxygen cylinders while climbing as he thought they reduced the thrill of climbing . He did not use them until the final summit ascension.(which he did not foresee) He is a symbol of courage , fearlessness, confidence for mountaineers all around the world.

Mallory is famously quoted as having replied to the question "Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?" with the retort: "Because it's there", which has been called "the most famous three words in mountaineering.

The Wildest Dream

Nat Geo Documentary in 2010 by Conrad Anker (who discovered his body) on life of George Leigh mallory.

RAJMOHAN GANDHIS

PATEL : A LIFE
- A biography

The biography by Rajmohan Gandhi delves into the life of Sardar Vallabhai patel who was one of the most influential leader in Indian Freedom struggle The excellent depiction of small incidents which bring out the character and qualities of Patel has been done beautifully. The life narration of Patel is done from a middlemans point of view without taking any particular stance in support of Patel.

The strong beliefs , ideals and character of Patel is brought about by the intricate depiction of details throught the entire work. This piece effectively brings out the transition phases in the life of Patel, particularly the change from European style to Simplistic Gandhian style of living. The depiction of journey of Patel from the streets of Nandiad to the office of Home minister is very inspiring and a memorable learning experience.

DEPICTIONS OF EARLY LIFE

- Simplistic depiction of early life with due focus on Patels character , beliefs and qualities right from childhood. - Authors already knows how the final portrait should like and thus he shapes his biography the way he needs the character to come out- He cares to mention the small and minute incidents of Patels life that bring out Patels stoic nature, religious beliefs and his ambitions

The incidents.

When Patel himself came down with the bubonic Plague disease, he immediately sent his family to safety, left his home spent this time in a dilapidated temple where he recovered slowly. Sardar Patel allowed his elder brother Vitthalbhai patel to go to study in England before him because his ticket shared same initials as his brother. He received the news of his wifes death while prosecuting a witness in court. His was seemingly unaffected by the news and continued the case which he won.

Rajmohan

Gandhi is quite successful in enriching the work with elements of self narrative as depicts Patels desires, thinking and over all transition physically as well as mentally

Wearing European-style clothes and urbane mannerisms, he also became a skilled bridge player. Patel nurtured ambitions to expand his practise and accumulate great wealth and to provide his children with modern education. Patel Was hugely impressed by Mahatma Gandhis ideology and gave up his european style living in favour of simplistic indian style.

Authors

vivid and detailed depiction of Gandhis influence on Patel makes Patel one of the biggest follower of Gandhi from the mainstream national politics

As a active Gujarati activist, He chose to volunteer Gandhis struggle for the peasants in Kheda district as against his successful career in law. Patel supported Gandhi's Non-cooperation movement and toured the state to recruit more than 300,000 members and raise over Rs. 1.5 million in funds Patel was one of the few leaders who supported Gandhi's controversial suspension of non-cooperation movement in wake of the Chauri Chaura incident. While in jail with Gandhi , his belief in Gandhian principles became stronger, he supported Gandhi in his fasts while growing mutual bond of brotherhood.

ROLE BEFORE PARTITION

In the 1946 election for the Congress presidency, Patel stepped down in favor of Nehru at the request of Gandhi.

The election's importance stemmed from the fact that the elected President would be India's first Prime minister.

Nobody likes the division of India and my heart is heavy. But the choice is between one division and many divisions. We must face facts... But I am afraid of one thing, that all our toil and hard work of these many years might go waste or prove unfruitful. My nine months in office has completely disillusioned me regarding the supposed merits of the Cabinet Mission Plan.

The communal veto given to the League in the Mission Plan would have blocked India's progress at every stage. Whether we like it or not, de facto Pakistan already exists in the Punjab and Bengal. Under the circumstances I would prefer a de jure Pakistan, which may make the League more responsible. Freedom is coming. We have 75 to 80 percent of India, which we can make strong with our own genius. The League can develop the rest of the country.

ROLE AFTER THE PARTITION

Patel represented India on the Partition Council, where he oversaw the division of public assets, and selected the Indian council of ministers with Nehru.

Patel was responsible for the political integration of India with more than 600 princely states merging in India under his leadership.
Gandhi had said to Patel "the problem of the States is so difficult that you alone can solve it".

LEGACY

Rajendra Prasad and industrialist J.R.D.Tata have expressed opinions that Patel would have made a better prime minister for India than Nehru. He was admired for speaking frankly on the issues of Hindu-Muslim relations and not shying from using military force to integrate India. Patel is the namesake of many public institutions in India.