American Autobiography / / Rachael McLennan.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Edinburgh University Press Backlist eBook-Package 2013-2000
• VerfasserIn: McLennan, Rachael,
• Place / Publishing House: Edinburgh : : Edinburgh University Press, , [2021]; ©2012
• Year of Publication: 2021
• Language: English
• Series: BAAS Paperbacks : BAAS
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (168 p.)

The first student guide to American autobiographys introduction to the major forms of autobiographical writing in America and important current developments in autobiography studies discusses both 'canonised' texts and those from contemporary writers. Taking a broadly chronological approach, the history of American autobiography is explored including the social and cultural factors that might account for the importance of autobiography in American culture. Then post-1970 autobiographies are examined, taking into account the development in poststructuralism from this time that affected notions of the subject who could write, and conceptions of truth, identity and reference.Key Features* Engages in discussions about the 'Americanness' of autobiography, especially in relation to important contemporary issues such as multiculturalism and transnationalism* Acknowledges the problematic nature of the 'canon' of American autobiography* Explores the most exciting recent developments in relation to the self, writing, and autobiography (e.g. poststructuralist thought, the postmodern, the post-colonial, life-writing and genre)* Considers autobiographies from Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, Walt Whitman and Gertrude Stein to Maxine Hong Kingston, Lance Armstrong, Lucy Grealy and Barack Obama* Includes study of the Puritan autobiography, the slave narrative, political texts, photography in autobiography, and illness/ disability memoirs

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Part One: Exemplary Subjects -- 1. Spiritual, Secular and Enslaved Selves -- 2. (Un)Representative Selves -- Part Two: Contemporary Subjects -- 3. Relating Ethics to Genre -- 4. Gender, Illness and Autobiography -- Bibliography -- Index