Secret Selves: A History of Our Inner Space

Professor Stephen Prickett explores the evolution of our inner selves from the Old Testament to social media, finding that while they are a natural and permanent part of being human, they have expanded beyond any possible personal experience and can be a source of terror. He uses literature to consider the profound possibilities and ramifications of our evolving ideas of self.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 26 August 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Professor Stephen Prickett delves into a captivating literary and cultural exploration of our inner selves in his latest work. From the ancient scriptures of the Old Testament to the contemporary realm of social media, he uncovers the intricate tapestry of how we have defined and crafted our innermost selves throughout history.

What Prickett discovers is that while our secret, inner sense of self, which gives us our unique identity, may seem intrinsic and everlasting, it is, in fact, a relatively recent development. Throughout centuries, confessional religious writings, from Augustine to Jane Austen, and even the diaries of 20th-century Holocaust victims, have ventured into introspection as a means of self-discovery. However, our inner space has transcended the confines of personal experience, expanding into realms of imagination and the creation of fantastical narratives.

This remarkable expansion of our inner world has granted us an extraordinary capacity to write about things we have never witnessed and to fabricate entirely new realities around them. It has enabled us to explore the depths of our subconscious and tap into the limitless possibilities of our minds. Yet, our secret selves can also be a source of fear and vulnerability. The borders of our inner realms often remain ill-defined and open to external influence, leaving us susceptible to unsettling forms of control. Mystics and poets, from Dante to John Henry Newman and Gerard Manley Hopkins, sought solace in their secret spaces, not only because of their spiritual quests but also out of a deep-seated fear of the "abyss beneath."

Secret Selves takes readers on a journey from the very origins of human consciousness to the present day, traversing the rich tapestry of modern history. Through the lens of literature, Prickett examines the profound possibilities and ramifications of our evolving ideas of self. He explores how our inner selves have shaped our relationships, our sense of belonging, and our understanding of the world around us. He raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of identity, the boundaries of self, and the power of introspection.

In conclusion, Professor Stephen Prickett's Secret Selves offers a thought-provoking exploration of our inner selves, shedding light on the complex and evolving nature of our sense of self. Through his literary and cultural analysis, Prickett invites us to reflect on the profound impact of our secret selves on our lives and the world around us. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the human psyche, literature, and the profound mysteries of the human experience.

Weight: 600g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501372469