texts of self

[pars]

Hi!
What does "texts of self" mean in the following passage? It is from the book Rethinking Iranian Nationalism and Modernity by Scot-Aghaie and Marashi, p. 91:

"Shushtari understood the text as demonstrating something about Abu Taleb, indicating that the perception of tazkerehs as texts of self partly defined their consumption. Underpinning this expression of self is the possession of specific types of learning, shared by others in a larger Persianate cultural community."

Note: Tazkerehs are books about poets and their poems and biography.

Thanks very much.

 

[jutfrank]

I've never heard this term but I'm guessing the idea is along the lines that these tazkarehs are as much about illuminating— or "demonstrating"—something about the writers themselves, as about illuminating the subjects of their writing.

 

[pars]

I've never heard this term but I'm guessing the idea is along the lines that these tazkarehs are as much about illuminating— or "demonstrating"—something about the writers themselves, as about illuminating the subjects of their writing.

Thanks vey much, dear jutfrank. I think you are right.