BETWEEN FICTION AND CONFIDENCE: THE POET, THE POETIC PERSONA, AND THE (NON)EXISTENCE OF THE AUTHOR

Abstract

It is challenging to conceive of poetry as a form of self-writing, especially regarding the role of the "poetic persona". Addressing these potential conflicts—or transcending them—this essay aims to explore poetry that employs the poetic voice to autobiographically reveal the poet themselves. Through the analysis of select poems by writers from Brazilian literature, the discussion will stem from the idea of the author as a being situated within a world and a reality, where they ultimately locate/position themselves, revealing their essence in one way or another. To this end, we will draw on theorists such as Lejeune, who explore the concept of autobiography, among others, enabling an examination of self-writing in poetry as both a possible and necessary endeavor.