السيرة الذاتية في مرآة الأدبين العربي والغربي: قراءة مقارنة في النصوص والأنواع

Autobiographical Writing in Arabic and Western Literature: A Comparative Study of Forms and Narratives

Abstract

This research paper encompasses autobiographical writing in Arabic and Western Literature. This study offers a comparative analysis of the autobiographical genre in Arabic and Western literary traditions, examining its origins, forms, and cultural functions to address a gap in modern comparative literature regarding underrepresented self-narratives. This research employs a comparative and interdisciplinary methodology, integrating historical and analytical approaches. It investigates the development of autobiographical writing in both traditions, tracing its roots in classical Arabic *siyar*, philosophical reflections, and mystical writings, and comparing these with Western models. The analysis encompasses various forms, including memoirs, self-translations, and personal testimonies. The study finds that Arabic literature possesses a deep and established tradition of self-reflection that predates and parallels Western autobiographical models. It reveals that autobiography functions as a dynamic space where personal narrative, literary artistry, and cultural memory converge. The comparison highlights both unique and shared thematic concerns, such as the negotiation of individuality against societal norms, showcasing the genre's evolution into modern expressions of personal consciousness. The research underscores the need to broaden the canon of comparative autobiography to include diverse Arabic forms. It suggests that future studies should further explore specific sub-genres like mystical autobiographies or modern digital self-narratives to deepen the understanding of cross-cultural self-representation.