Journal du dehors of Annie Ernaux: from the interest in outside world to the inside self-discovery
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Abstract
Normally, a person who writes a journal wants to explain something related to them or their personal feelings towards any incidents or other people. French female author Annie Ernaux, however, uses a new form of journal writing in Journal du dehors, in which ordinary people, situations and outside realities during 1985-1992 are the center of her interest. As Ernaux does not give importance to private stories and she transcribes behaviors, speeches, emotions of people from different contexts, her journal contains sociological dimensions. Nevertheless, while coming across exterior situations, Ernaux sees her own self and perceives personal feelings about the situations, which have unconsciously determined the selection of transcription. She finally admits that this journal enabled her to discover herself and what happened to her life in the past. She also has learned that we can find our identity from others and that we are a part of their lives. Because of all these characteristics, this article presents three points: the writing form of Journal du dehors, the sociological dimension of this journal, and the discovery of Ernaux’s identity among others.
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References
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