Abstract

Autobiographical narratives, which include autobiography, autobiographical novel, memoir, and chronicle, constitute a major genre in African francophone literature. Informed by history, they do not celebrate personal accomplishment, but rather accentuate the group experience. These self-stories rely on realistic representation in order to document events for future generations and function to correct stereotypical misconceptions—therein lies their political consciousness.

Keywords: Autobiographical narratives, autobiography, autobiographical novel, memoir, chronicle, African, French, Francophone Literature, genre, personal, accomplishment, history, group experience, self-stories, realistic, representation, document, future, generations, stereotypical misconception, stereotype, political consciousness

How to Cite:

Larrier, R., (1991) “Autobiographical Authority and the Politics of Narrative”, Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature 15(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2334-4415.1266