Abstract
The first student guide to American autobiography.
This 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.
This 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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | British Association for American Studies |
| Number of pages | 168 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780748644605 |
| Publication status | Published - 26 Nov 2012 |