Interpreting the Self: Two Hundred Years of American Autobiography

PrologueAcknowledgmentsChapter One: IntroductionAutobiographies as a Source of DataOrganization of this StudyChapter Two: Autobiography as a Social SituationInteraction with an AudienceThe Presentation of SelfTelling a StoryChapter Three: The Self as Morality PlayHistorical BackgroundTheory of the SelfTelling the StoryConclusionChapter Four: Masters of FateHistorical BackgroundTheory of the SelfTelling the StoryConclusionChapter Five: The Uncertain SelfHistorical BackgroundTheory of the SelfTelling the StoryConclusionChapter Six: The Beleaguered SelfHistorical BackgroundTheory of the SelfTelling the StorySome Contemporary VariationsChapter Seven: Conclusion: The Autobiography as Moral PerformanceAppendix A: MethodAppendix B: American Autobiographies: An OverviewNotesPrimary SourcesBibliographyIndex

Prologue Acknowledgments Chapter One: Introduction Autobiographies as a Source of Data Organization of this Study Chapter Two: Autobiography as a Social Situation Interaction with an Audience The Presentation of Self Telling a Story Chapter Three: The Self as Morality Play Historical Background Theory of the Self Telling the Story Conclusion Chapter Four: Masters of Fate Historical Background Theory of the Self Telling the Story Conclusion Chapter Five: The Uncertain Self Historical Background Theory of the Self Telling the Story Conclusion Chapter Six: The Beleaguered Self Historical Background Theory of the Self Telling the Story Some Contemporary Variations Chapter Seven: Conclusion: The Autobiography as Moral Performance Appendix A: Method Appendix B: American Autobiographies: An Overview Notes Primary Sources Bibliography Index