Contexts of self expression: al-Andalus voices in exile of convention

Andalusian intellectuals expressed themselves in multiple ways through several genres from their literary tradition. In this article, some examples of those expressions are displayed to show the variety of discursive strategies employed. Our aim in doing so is twofold: first, we open the modern and Western conception of autobiography in its formal characteristics to disrupted narration and non-intended self-representation; and second, we configure a multidimensional interpretation placing them as situated language uses. Consequently, we will provide our reading of the Granadian polygraph Ibn al-Khatb textual auto-expression under the context of Medieval Iberian unstable politics, specifically that of exile understood as an idiosyncrasy of al-Andalus society and as the main factor that moved this author to force the margins of his literary conventions.