F O L K E T I B I L D / K U L T U R F R O N T 5/97
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The Rebellion of the Illoyal Child
Studies of Jan Myrdal's autobiographical texts
Abstract by Cecilia Cervin
After a brief survey of generic theory propounded by Johnny Kondrup and Eva Hættner Aurelius, I discuss my reasons for turning to the French critic, Pilippe Lejeune, as a seminal force among generic theorists. His emphasis on generic distinctions, as a reader's tool to achieve generic understanding of the text, rather than a norm of classification, has been adopted as a guiding principle. This principle is tested on Myrdal's many reviewers, whose evaluation of the books is found to be based on their generic expectations: those who regard the books as autobiographical novels are more appreciative than those who regard them as autobiography or memoirs.
In my own readings of the Childhood books, in which I combine generic and receptional theory with a narratological view, I consider the works mainly as artefacts belonging to the autobiographical tradition, having their existence on the border between autobiography and novel. I consider their position in Myrdal's complete æuvre, his work on autobiographical material in various guises, as well as his authorial intensions in his collected works in general, and Childhood books in particular.
Myrdal's books also form a part of the great autobiographical tradition from S:t Augustine and Rousseau, a tradition which is examined with particular regard to its description of the child. Three classics in this tradition, to which the term "réfractaire" (rebellious, resistant) may reasonably be applied, e.g. Stendhal, Vallès and Strindberg are examined. The trial theme, common to these works and to Myrdal, (a trial in which the innocent child is labelled guilty, and will subsequently become Rebellious - "réfractaire"), is followed up, as well as other thematic points. While taking some account of the referential reality behind the text, I am primarily concerned with investigating how these themes take on the character of a truth deeply embedded in the textual pattern. "Fictional truth", according to Riffaterre, is the internal truth to be found in the grammar of fictionality.
Lastly, under the heading "The growth of the Ego out of dreams and fantasies", the numerous dream and fantasy sequences are examined. In these, the growing Ego is formed, as well as consciously forming itself, in opposition to the environment, not least as a result of reading habits and dream-worlds.
Key words: autobiography, generic theory, reception, thematic study, "réfractaire", fictional truth, narratology
| Lunds universitet Litteraturvetenskapliga institutionen Helgonabacken 12 S-223 62 Lund, Sweden Language: Swedish ISBN: 91-7123-066-1 Stockholm/Hägglunds 632 pages. May, 1997 Phone/fax +46 8 411 25 90 e-mail haegglunds@fib.se |
| The Childhood books: Childhood, Another World and 12 Going on 13 have been published by Lake Wiew Press/Ravenswood Books. Chicago   e-mail pelitz@artic.edu |
F O L K E T I B I L D / K U L T U R F R O N T 5/97
i n t e r n e t u t g å v a n
