Betraying Our Selves

This is a lively study of the autobiographical instinct in a variety of 16th and 17th century modes of writing in English, from letters and memoirs to pastoral, polemic and street ballads. The book's central concern is how "selves" are "betrayed" in texts, particularly in the centuries before the autobiography was a recognized genre. It suggests that self-representation in the early modern period was often indirect, emerging in oblique and surprising ways.

This is a lively study of the autobiographical instinct in a variety of 16th and 17th century modes of writing in English, from letters and memoirs to pastoral, polemic and street ballads. The book's central concern is how "selves" are "betrayed" in texts, particularly in the centuries before the autobiography was a recognized genre. It suggests that self-representation in the early modern period was often indirect, emerging in oblique and surprising ways.

Booknews

Contributors consider the autobiographical instinct in a variety of 16th and 17th century modes of writing, including letters, memoirs, and pastoral, poetic, and street ballads. The essays discuss a wide range of texts by women and men, from the courtly, merchant, and yeoman classes, and from a variety of religious and regional backgrounds. The volume raises questions concerning early modern selfhood in relation to community, gender, family, spirituality, and material life. Contributors are scholars of English literature, affiliated with American or European universities. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Henk Dragstra teaches English Literature, Sheila Ottway recently gained her PhD, and Helen Wilcox is Professor of English Literature, all at the Univerisity of Groningen, The Netherlands.