The Matter of My Book: Montaigne's Essais as the Book of the Self delves into the intricate relationship between Montaigne's writing and his identity, exploring how the Essais serve as both a reflection of and a space for the construction of the self. This study positions Montaigne's work at the crossroads of life and literature, highlighting his unique preoccupation with the act of writing and its role in self-representation. Despite Montaigne's professed disdain for being labeled a "maker of books," his Essais reveal a profound engagement with language, self-portraiture, and the written word. The book becomes not merely a vehicle for thought but a consubstantial entity where the existential man and the literary persona merge.
The analysis acknowledges the paradoxical nature of Montaigne's Essais—a work that simultaneously invites readers to investigate the author's life while emphasizing the transformative, imaginative qualities of literature. By addressing themes like friendship, self-knowledge, and self-portraiture, the study reveals how the Essais elevate writing to a central act of being. The text itself serves as a dynamic interplay between commentary and creation, offering insights into Montaigne's philosophy and stylistic innovations. Through a focused lens on Montaigne's metaphors, patterns, and reflections on his craft, this work underscores the Essais as a space where Montaigne articulates and reimagines his sense of self, making it an enduring cornerstone in the study of personal and literary identity.
This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1977.
