CW4 Reading Journal

CW4 Reading Journal

How do the two authors portray themselves differently in their autobiographical works? Which one is more conscious of the reader’s presence (wants to make a particular impression on audience)? Why do you say this? Which author is more convincing or believable? Why?

Both authors reflect on their early lives in the passages we read, but Aciman seems to want his voice to come through to a much greater extent, whereas Cellini seems focused on simply relaying his interpretation of past events. This is party due to the distance in time that separates the two, but also due to the differing goals of the pieces. Both authors are conscious of the reader’s presence, I think, because Cellini’s goal is portray his history in a noble light and Aciman’s is to create a powerful and personal piece of travel writing. I think that Aciman is more conscious of the reader’s presence, though, because he seeks to evoke certain feelings and sympathies from his readers. For example, he wants his reader to be in the moment with his disappointment when he cannot live in the rich apartment. I think that Aciman’s tone was more believable, because Cellini was concerned with leaving a legacy, and maybe he was therefore more prone to exaggeration.