What is the purpose of the memoir’s subtitle, “A Memoir of Witness and Resistance”?

Subtitles to books, which not all books have, are often informative glimpses into the main themes or point that an author is trying to convey. Here, the subtitle references “witness and resistance,” which gives the reader a clear sense both for what kind of book it is and the values of its author. For instance, the subtitle communicates that this is a “memoir,” or personal autobiography focused on a particular moment in one’s life. The reference to “witness” suggests that the author views this book as a kind of testimony, or testament, to something that she has seen and that she wishes now to communicate to her readers. The reference to “resistance” tells the reader that Forché views herself in opposition--here in opposition to El Salvador’s corrupt and authoritarian government...