Use of writer's own experience

In this part of the study guide, we will focus on how Bernard Hare uses his experiences in “Poverty is a state of mind”. We will explain the concept and features of an autobiographical story and give you some examples, which will be of use when analysing the text.

An autobiography formally belongs to non-fiction literature and is a retelling of the writer’s life experiences. However, an autobiography is often, in fact, a mix of fictional and non-fictional elements.

As such, even if the text draws on real-life events that happened to Bernard Hare, the story is a personal one, and it cannot claim absolute objectivity. It is subjective. 

All autobiographies are motivated by something. In this case, the piece is motivated by the writer’s need to define himself and the concept of poverty in his te...