Quotation: Memory is a device...

[Tom]

Dear teachers

Could you (once again ) help me understand the given quotation by simplifying it? I would be very thankful.

(Source: Reader's Digest, September 2000)

" Memory is a device for forgetting as well as remembering. To that extent, every autobiography is a work of fiction and every work of fiction an autobiography."

Millions of thanks in advance

Ever yours

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

OK, I'll give it a shot:

Memory is a device for forgetting as well as remembering. Your memory can be either good or bad; you remember and you forget.

To that extent, every autobiography is a work of fiction and every work of fiction an autobiography."

With that in mind, every book about oneself is fiction (because you've forgotten things) and every fictional story is actually about the writer himself (because he writes based on things he remembers)

Now I've got a suggestion for your next quote (and I'm sure there will be at least one more ):
Why don't you try to tell us what you think it means first?

Amy