Autobiography as identity quest : Todorović and his Book of revenge

Title: Autobiography as identity quest : Todorović and his Book of revenge
Source document: The Central European journal of Canadian studies. 2008, vol. 6, iss. [1], pp. 123-132
Extent
123-132
  • ISSN
    1213-7715 (print)
    2336-4556 (online)
Type: Article
Language
License: Not specified license
 

Notice: These citations are automatically created and might not follow citation rules properly.

Abstract(s)
However transparent the concept of autobiography may seem, there are numerous attempts at defining it. What all of them have in common is a focus on the narrative voice which explores its own past through the reconstruction of mental images preserved in the memory. The aim of an autobiography is thus to establish /confirm/ perpetuate the identity of the narrator or to follow its development in the course of his life. Dragan Todorović, a Canadian author of Serbian origin, explores his own Yugoslav past from the perspective of Canadian present offering in his Book of Revenge ample material for reconsidering autobiography as a genre in particular in its identity revealing / forming aspects. In the case of Todorović, this private quest is a subversive act regarding not only the system of values of his old homeland but also of Canada as his diasporic country.
Quelque transparent que puisse paraître le concept de l'autobiographie, les essais de le définir sont nombreux. Ce qui est commun pour tous ces essais c'est la concentration sur la voix narrative qui explore son propre passé à travers la reconstruction des images mentales gardées dans la mémoire. Le but d'une autobiographie est donc d'établir, de confirmer et de perpétuer l'identité du narrateur, ou de suivre son développement au cours de sa vie. Dragan Todorović, l'auteur canadien de l'origine serbe, explore son propre passé du point de vue du Canadien actuel, en offrant dans son Livre de vengeance un ample matériel pour reconsidérer l'autobiographie comme un genre en particulier de l'aspect de se former et de se faire connaître. En cas de Todorović, sa recherche privée est un acte subversif concernant non seulement le système de valeurs de son ancienne patrie, mais aussi le Canada comme son pays de diaspora.
Note
This paper is part of the Project 148024D, financed by the Ministry of Science, Republic of Serbia.
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