* Autobiography: A comprehensive account of a person's entire life, covering all significant events and experiences, often with an emphasis on the author's development and understanding of themselves. Think of it as a full picture of a person's journey.
* Memoir: A focused account of a specific period, theme, or experience in a person's life. The author may delve deep into a particular event, relationship, or struggle, using it as a lens to explore broader themes and insights. It's like a close-up on a particular chapter in a person's life.
So, it's not necessarily about length, but rather the scope and focus:
* An autobiography can be longer than a memoir, but it doesn't have to be. It depends on the author's choice and the complexity of their life story.
* A memoir can be as long or even longer than an autobiography, if the specific theme being explored requires a detailed and nuanced analysis.
In short, the key difference lies in the breadth and depth of the narrative. An autobiography aims to cover the whole life, while a memoir concentrates on a specific part or aspect.