The Conscience of the Autobiographer: Ethical and Religious Dimensions of Autobiography (Studies in Literature & Religion)

Argues that the writing of autobiography raises crucial issues of conscience as an author tries to know, assess and represent character. Individual chapters explore such issues as the nature of truthfulness, characterization, the virtues, shame and the religious dimensions of conscience. Particular attention is given to the essays of Montaigne and Samuel Johnson, and to autobiographies by Benjamin Franklin, Malcolm X, and Mary McCarthy. Barbour demonstrates the value of ethical criticism, integrating theories of autobiography, ethical theory, and the interpretation of particular narratives. This book is designed to be of interest to students of literature and language, philosophy and religion. The author has had articles published in "The Journal of Religion", "The Journal of Religious Ethics" and "The Journal of the American Academy of Religion". Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-7 Conscience and Truthfulness....Pages 8-36 Character and Characterization....Pages 37-57 Conscience in the Essays of Montaigne and Johnson....Pages 58-84 Franklin and the Critics of Individualism....Pages 85-119 Ressentiment, Public Virtues, and Malcolm X....Pages 120-142 Shame in the Autobiographies of Mary McCarthy....Pages 143-173 Conclusion....Pages 174-182 Back Matter....Pages 183-199 This book argues that the writing of autobiography raises crucial issues of conscience as an author tries to know, assess, and represent character. Individual chapters explore such issues as the nature of truthfulness, characterization, the virtues, shame, and the religious dimensions of conscience.