American Studies ETDs

Publication Date

4-27-1978

Abstract

This is a history of American autobiography based upon self-conceptions as they reflect social-historical contexts. Focusing on autobiographies written during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the author uncovers three seIf-conceptions: the exemplary self, the imperial self, and the historical self. An investigation of each demonstrates that changing self-conceptions alter the autobiographical form.

The author locates the exemplary self within the autobiographies of John Woolman, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. Based upon a universe of unquestioned verities, this se If-conception emphasizes universe I principles while diminishing individual importance. A textual analysis of eight ante-bellum slave narratives and the autobiographies of P. T. Barnum, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie indicates that the exemplary self was modified during the nineteenth century.

A second self-conception, the imperial self, is discerned with in the auto­biographies of Theodore Parker, Margaret Fuller, and Henry David Thoreau. The author shows that Quentin Anderson's definition of the imperial self is applicable to the study of autobiography. Parker, Fuller, and Thoreau reject the universe of verities, separate themselves from community and tradition, and immerse themselves in nature, proclaiming their universality.

A third self-conception, the historical self, reflects the cultural climate of turn of the century America. In contrast with the imperial self who serves private history from public history, the historical self incorporates individual history within a broad, historical context. In the act of writing autobiography, Henry Adams, Black Elk, and Jane Addams fuse public and private history, creating historical selves.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

American Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

American Studies

First Committee Member (Chair)

Joel M. Jones

Second Committee Member

Sam B. Girgus

Third Committee Member

Ferenc Morton Szasz

Fourth Committee Member

Lynn Bloom

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