The Genetic Analysis of Personal Diaries

Genetic textual analysis is the study of the history of the composition of the text. It scrutinizes its preparatory notes and early drafts of texts, reconstituting the steps in the genesis of the work and analyzes acts of verbal creativity. According to Philippe Lejeune textual genetic studies look at two creative processes. The first, (coined by Paul Ricoeur), is “narrative identity” which is the work of the memory constantly adapting the past to the future of the individual; and the second is verbal creativity. In autobiographies there are initial projects, plans, drafts and final published text. In diaries, as opposed to autobiographies, there are no drafts. The diary has no view of its ending. In writing, the diarist collaborates with the unknown. Since the diary is also a practice, its genetics is represented in a transformation of process, not in a final goal. This includes: variation in pace of writing, creation of thematic webs and stylistic developments.

This paper presents a genetic analysis of the diary of Etty Hillesum (Amsterdam 1941-1942), and letters (Amsterdam and Westerbork 1941-1943). Her Westerbork diary was lost.

The analysis will include observations on: 1) rhythm and frequency of entries; 2) evolution of themes; 3) transformation from manuscript to book.