Autobiography as a performative act. Study of Leonora Christina Skov’s autobiographical novels

Abstract

The aim of the article is to examine the process of self-creation depicted in two Leonora Christina Skov’s autobiographical novels (Den, der lever stille [2018], Hvis vi ikke taler om det [2021]). The theory underlying this analysis is that autobiographical acts are in their essence more performative than constative. Following the post-structuralists claims, the study assumes that an autobiographical project consists in (re)creating the author's self rather than reflecting him or her as a pre-existing individual. Furthermore, self-narration will be considered here as necessary in the process of identity formation just as it is stated in Lacan’s identity theory. Such a project of (re)making oneself through self-narration is taken in Skov’s novels and its structure consists of three main phases. The first concerns processing the childhood traumas as well as fighting for independence as an individual. The second comprises delivering a specific model of oneself through the text production. The third consists of making corrections in the previously made self-portrayal (and thus placing the identity formation in a constant state of motion). The novels’ main character’s striving to take control of the narrative of her life resonates perfectly with the trends of our time, where identity is often perceived as an ongoing process of portraying oneself through various media.