Examining the Contexts of Personal Writing with Emphasis on the Two Collections Roozha and Roozha dar Rah

Abstract

Anything that a writer produces concerning their interests, beliefs, experiences, emotions, and the ups and downs of their life in various forms can be classified under the broad concept of personal writing. Due to its reliance on the author's “I,” it is regarded as one of the most significant subjects within lyric literature. The term personal writing may be considered the closest translation of the word autobiography. However, a key distinction between personal writing and autobiography lies in the broader scope of personal writing, which is not limited to biographical information. Rather, it encompasses a variety of genres and forms, ranging from a brief note to an extensive personal narrative. In contemporary Iranian literature, personal writing has undergone numerous transformations over the past century, sometimes under the influence of Western literature. It has appeared in diverse forms such as autobiographies, diaries, and letters. Nevertheless, the form and inclination toward personal writing during the last two decades have brought about a new revolution in this genre. This shift and growing tendency are rooted in the underlying contexts of personal writing as well as changes in the social and cultural norms of society. This study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. By examining the works of Mohammad-Ali Eslami Nodoushan and Shahrokh Meskoub, who are regarded as pioneers of personal writing in contemporary Persian literature, and focusing specifically on the two works Roozha and Roozha dar Rah as prominent examples of personal writing, three principal contexts were identified: experience, the desire for immortality, and healing. These three components not only provide the foundation for the composition of the selected works examined in this study but, due to their breadth, depth, and functionality, can also serve as a framework and contextual basis for any self-centered text.