The Autobiographer as Torero

work by Leiris

Also known as: “De la littérature considérée comme une tauromachie”(Show More)

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

The phrase "The Autobiographer as Torero" refers to an essay by Michel Leiris, a French writer, poet, anthropologist, and art critic. In this essay, Leiris compares the courage required for writing an autobiography to that of a matador in a bullfight. He published his autobiographical work L'Âge d'homme (Manhood) in 1939, which was reissued in 1946 with this accompanying essay. Leiris's writing is characterized by its confessional nature, exploring personal flaws, memories, and fantasies. The concept of the bullfight has a long history in art and literature, symbolizing struggles and courage across various cultures.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Michel Leiris
…considérée comme une tauromachie” (1946; The Autobiographer as Torero), comparing the courage required to write with that required of a matador. In 1948 he began another autobiography, La Règle du jeu (“The Rules of the Game”), which was published in four volumes as Biffures (1948; “Erasures”), Fourbis (1955; “Odds and…
Read More
…considérée comme une tauromachie” (1946; The Autobiographer as Torero), comparing the courage required to write with that required of a matador. In 1948 he began another autobiography, La Règle du jeu (“The Rules of the Game”), which was published in four volumes as Biffures (1948; “Erasures”), Fourbis (1955; “Odds and…
Read More