Memoir Summary

Through study it is proven that writing about past events and of one’s emotions helps give a better understanding of who you are. In Antoinette and Iriel Franklin’s case, they talk about the devastating results of Hurricane Katrina and how it affected who they are today. In such a traumatic experience one learns to cope and better understand life as it comes. Although, Antoinette felt as if she saw her whole life wash away, past and future, she has seen that there are better things to come. She looks for support in her niece Iriel and sees that things will work out for the best. Jerry Waxler studied human behavior when dealing with the past and emotions. In his studies he concluded that writing memoirs and talking about the past helps people deal with what has happened and how they can make such experiences turn out for the better of their future. Antoinette and Iriel Franklin’s story supports Waxler’s point of view because in the end Antoinette and Iriel both feel that they have grown to be better people and have learned to appreciate what they have, what is to come and life in general.