{"product_id":"the-ethics-of-working-class-elizabeth-bidinger-9780786425761","title":"The Ethics of Working Class Autobiography: Representation of Family by Four American Authors","description":"\u003cp\u003e The ethical dimension of autobiography is emerging as an important area of study. Scholars now recognize that an autobiography must be read with an element of caution since it represents not so much the literal truth as the author's perception of people and events, a perspective sometimes unflattering to those portrayed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Focusing on the ethics of autobiography, this volume analyzes the works of four writers who spent much of their youth in working-class circumstances yet became highly educated intellectual professionals. It examines the ways in which each author confronts his or her past and how the authors represent their working-class family members. Texts discussed are \u003ci\u003eGrowing Up\u003c\/i\u003e by Russell Baker (1982), \u003ci\u003eBrothers and Keepers\u003c\/i\u003e by John Edgar Wideman (1984), \u003ci\u003eA Woman in Amber\u003c\/i\u003e by Agate Nesaule (1995) and \u003ci\u003eClear Springs\u003c\/i\u003e by Bobbie Ann Mason (1999). Each work recounts the author's struggle with a particular societal element such as gender, race, class division or region. While Baker's memoir provides an example of positive, balanced characterizations of working-class relatives, the texts by Wideman, Nesaule and Mason illustrate the ethical pitfalls in portraying less powerful family members in one's life story. An overview of trends in working-class autobiography and a brief survey regarding the critical reception of each work are included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Elizabeth Bidinger\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0786425768\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780786425761\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e McFarland \u0026amp; Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/19\/2006\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 212\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.67lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.10h x 6.06w x 0.48d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eReference and Research Bk News\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/01\/2006 pg. 310","brand":"Elizabeth Bidinger","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48483682156799,"sku":"9780786425761","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_ac723429-a4e7-4429-9e6a-6280f13052d9.jpg?v=1778039975","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-ethics-of-working-class-elizabeth-bidinger-9780786425761","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}