About the book
Focusing on the representation of same-sex desire in Victorian autobiographical writing, Oliver Buckton offers significant new readings of works by some of the most influential figures in late-nineteenth-century literature and culture. Combining original research, careful historical analysis, and contemporary theories of autobiography, gender, and sexual identity, he provides nuanced studies of confessional narratives by Edward Carpenter, John Henry Newman, John Addington Symonds, Oscar Wilde, and, in an epilogue, E. M. Forster.
By examining the “confessional” elements of these writings, Buckton brings “secrecy” into focus as a central and productive component of autobiographical discourse. He challenges the conventional view of secrecy as the suppression of information, instead using the term to suggest an oscillation between authorial self-disclosure and silence or reserve — a strategy for arousing the reader’s interest and establishing a relation based on shared knowledge while deferring or displacing the revelation of potentially incriminating and scandalous desires. Though their
disclosures of same-sex desire jeopardized the cultural privilege granted these writers by Victorian codes of authorship and masculinity, their use of secrecy, Buckton shows, allowed them to protect themselves from Victorian stigma and to challenge prevailing constructions of sexual identity.
Originally published in 1998.
A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
Editions of Secret Selves
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807823996
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807847022
- EBook
- ISBN 9798893130980
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807860625
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807837924
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890869678
Read an Excerpt
Focusing on the representation of same-sex desire in Victorian autobiographical writing, Oliver Buckton offers significant new readings of works by some of the most influential figures in late-nineteenth-century literature and culture. Combining original research, careful historical analysis, and contemporary theories of autobiography, gender, and sexual identity, he provides nuanced studies of confessional narratives by Edward Carpenter, John Henry Newman, John Addington Symonds, Oscar Wilde, and, in an epilogue, E. M. Forster.
By examining the “confessional” elements of these writings, Buckton brings “secrecy” into focus as a central and productive component of autobiographical discourse. He challenges the conventional view of secrecy as the suppression of information, instead using the term to suggest an oscillation between authorial self-disclosure and silence or reserve — a strategy for arousing the reader’s interest and establishing a relation based on shared knowledge while deferring or displacing the revelation of potentially incriminating and scandalous desires. Though their
disclosures of same-sex desire jeopardized the cultural privilege granted these writers by Victorian codes of authorship and masculinity, their use of secrecy, Buckton shows, allowed them to protect themselves from Victorian stigma and to challenge prevailing constructions of sexual identity.
Originally published in 1998.
A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Secret Selves about?
Focusing on the representation of same-sex desire in Victorian autobiographical writing, Oliver Buckton offers significant new readings of works by some of the most influential figures in late-nineteenth-century literature and culture. Combining original research, careful historical analysis, and contemporary theories of autobiography, gender, and sexual identity, he provides nuanced studies of confessional narratives by Edward Carpenter, John Henry Newman, John Addington Symonds, Oscar Wilde, and, in an epilogue, E. M. Forster.
By examining the “confessional” elements of these writings, Buckton brings “secrecy” into focus as a central and productive component of autobiographical discourse. He challenges the conventional view of secrecy as the suppression of information, instead using the term to suggest an oscillation between authorial self-disclosure and silence or reserve — a strategy for arousing the reader’s interest and establishing a relation based on shared knowledge while deferring or displacing the revelation of potentially incriminating and scandalous desires. Though their
disclosures of same-sex desire jeopardized the cultural privilege granted these writers by Victorian codes of authorship and masculinity, their use of secrecy, Buckton shows, allowed them to protect themselves from Victorian stigma and to challenge prevailing constructions of sexual identity.
Originally published in 1998.
A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Secret Selves?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism
Where can I read a sample of Secret Selves?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807823996
How long is Secret Selves and how many pages does it have?
Secret Selves has 282 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Secret Selves?
Oliver S. Buckton
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Secret Selves is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807823996) and paperback(ISBN 9780807847022) and ebook(ISBN 9798893130980) and ebook(ISBN 9780807860625) and ebook(ISBN 9780807837924) and pdf(ISBN 9798890869678)
Where can I buy Secret Selves online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Secret Selves from below
Where can I buy Secret Selves?