
The Autobiographical Subject
Gender and Ideology in Eighteenth-Century England
Felicity A. Nussbaum(Author)
Johns Hopkins University Press
Published on 26. November 1995
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-8018-5237-4 (ISBN)
Description
'Co-recipient of the American Association for Eighteenth-Century Studies' Louis Gottschalk Prize' "Acutely analyzes the construction of gendered character in canonical British autobiographical texts and provides provocative explorations outside the canon, particularly among first-person narratives by women."--'Diacritics' '"[Nussbaum's] achievement...is profound. The theoretical framework is clear and consistent, the range of historical specificity broad and convincing, the analysis of specific texts sophisticated and compelling, the prose straightforward and free of obfuscating jargon. 'The Autobiographical Subject' is rich and richly rewarding for scholars of the eighteenth century. It deserves to be read by everyone who thinks about autobiographical practice."--Sidonie Smith, 'a/b: Auto/Biography Studies' Felicity Nussbaum considers the convergence of genre, gender, and class in an important reassessment of autobiographical writing in England from John Bunyan to Hester Thrale. "'The Autobiographical Subject', with its combination of provocative theory and sound scholarship, deserves a wide readership.
Felicity Nussbaum's insights demand the attention of eighteenth-century scholars, feminist critics, and cultural historians, while the central questions raised by the book--how to define the 'self'? why write, why revise, and especially, why 'publish' an autobiography?--are of interest to everyone."--Fiona Stafford, 'Review of English Studies' "An exemplary model of political criticism."--'Eighteenth-Century Fiction' '"In 'The Autobiographical Subject' Felicity Nussbaum sees autobiography as the point of convergence of a set of phenomena linking class, genre and gender in the eighteenth century; and traces the new possibilities of definition of a middle-class self, and assertion of female identity in print, within the form...The volume makes an important contribution to feminist discussion of the period."--'The Year's Work in English Studies'
Felicity Nussbaum's insights demand the attention of eighteenth-century scholars, feminist critics, and cultural historians, while the central questions raised by the book--how to define the 'self'? why write, why revise, and especially, why 'publish' an autobiography?--are of interest to everyone."--Fiona Stafford, 'Review of English Studies' "An exemplary model of political criticism."--'Eighteenth-Century Fiction' '"In 'The Autobiographical Subject' Felicity Nussbaum sees autobiography as the point of convergence of a set of phenomena linking class, genre and gender in the eighteenth century; and traces the new possibilities of definition of a middle-class self, and assertion of female identity in print, within the form...The volume makes an important contribution to feminist discussion of the period."--'The Year's Work in English Studies'
Reviews / Votes
Acutely analyzes the construction of gendered character in canonical British autobiographical texts and provides provocative explorations outside the canon, particularly among first-person narratives by women. Diacritics [Nussbaum's] achievement... is profound. The theoretical framework is clear and consistent, the range of historical specificity broad and convincing, the analysis of specific texts sophisticated and compelling, the prose straightforward and free of obfuscating jargon. The Autobiographical Subject is rich and richly rewarding for scholars of the eighteenth century. It deserves to be read by everyone who thinks about autobiographical practice. -- Sidonie Smith a/b: Auto/Biography Studies Felicity Nussbaum considers the convergence of genre, gender, and class in an important reassessment of autobiographical writing in England from John Bunyan to Hester Thrale. The Autobiographical Subject, with its combination of provocative theory and sound scholarship, deserves a wide readership. Felicity Nussbaum's insights demand the attention of eighteenth-century scholars, feminist critics, and cultural historians, while the central questions raised by the book-how to define the 'self'? why write, why revise, and especially, why publish an autobiography?-are of interest to everyone. -- Fiona Stafford Review of English Studies An exemplary model of political criticism. Eighteenth-Century Fiction In The Autobiographical Subject Felicity Nussbaum sees autobiography as the point of convergence of a set of phenomena linking class, genre and gender in the eighteenth century; and traces the new possibilities of definition of a middle-class self, and assertion of female identity in print, within the form... The volume makes an important contribution to feminist discussion of the period. The Year's Work in English Studies In The Autobiographical Subject Felicity Nussbaum sees autobiography as the point of convergence of a set of phenomena linking class, genre and gender in the eighteenth century; and traces the new possibilities of definition of a middle-class self, and assertion of female identity in print, within the form... The volume makes an important contribution to feminist discussion of the period. The Year's Work in English StudiesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Baltimore, MD
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
478 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8018-5237-4 (9780801852374)
DOI
10.56021/9780801838255
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
02/1990
Johns Hopkins University Press
€65.81
Article not available for order
Person
Felicity A. Nussbaum is professor of English and Women's Studies at Syracuse University.
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. The Ideology of Gene
Chapter 2. The Politics of Subjectivity
Chapter 3. Dissenting Subjects: Bunyan's Grace Abounding
Chapter 4. Methodized Subjects: Johns Wesley's Journals
Chapter 5. Manly Subjects: Boswell's Journals and The Life of Johnson
Chapter 6. The Gender of Character
Chapter 7. "Of Woman's Seed": Women's Spiritual Autobiograohies
Chapter 8. Heteroclites: The Scandalous Memoirs
Chapter 9. Managing Women: Thrale's "Family Book" and Thraliana
Notes
Index
Introduction
Chapter 1. The Ideology of Gene
Chapter 2. The Politics of Subjectivity
Chapter 3. Dissenting Subjects: Bunyan's Grace Abounding
Chapter 4. Methodized Subjects: Johns Wesley's Journals
Chapter 5. Manly Subjects: Boswell's Journals and The Life of Johnson
Chapter 6. The Gender of Character
Chapter 7. "Of Woman's Seed": Women's Spiritual Autobiograohies
Chapter 8. Heteroclites: The Scandalous Memoirs
Chapter 9. Managing Women: Thrale's "Family Book" and Thraliana
Notes
Index