Interpreting the Self

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