Reconstructing the Self Through the Other A Critical Reading of Select Indian Autobiographies

Abstract

Autobiography, as both a literary form and a reflective act, is fundamentally concerned with narrating and interpreting the Self. It extends beyond chronological recounting to become a dynamic process of identity construction rooted in memory, reflection, and self-awareness. The autobiographical self is not a static essence but a construct that emerges through narrative and is shaped by individual experience in relation to broader cultural and historical forces. newlineAutobiographical narratives are inherently subjective, embedding the author s interiority within the text. They provide intimate access to emotional, intellectual, and moral landscapes, revealing personal struggles, moments of epiphany, and transformation. Memory mainly autobiographical memory plays a crucial role in shaping this narrative identity over time. Rather than being autonomous, the Self represented in autobiography is conditioned and constituted by external influences: social norms, cultural heritage, geographical contexts, and historical realities. Consequently, autobiography becomes a site where the personal intersects with the collective, and identity is rendered as relational and evolving rather than self-contained newline