Constance Maynard's Life-Writing Considered as Spiritual Autobiography. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jay, Elisabeth
• Is Part Of: Women's history review. Volume 25:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Women -- History -- Periodicals; 305.4
• DOI: 10.1080/09612025.2015.1047244
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-2025

Abstract

Abstract : Viewing Constance Maynard's unwieldy life-writings within the tradition of spiritual autobiography reveals many of the irresolvable tensions with which she wrestled. Although she chose to see her public role as spearheading a crusade against modern rationalism, her inner life was as much concerned with the struggle to repudiate her parents' ascetic Evangelical piety in favour of a more emotionally intense spirituality. Her conviction of conversion's centrality fostered a sense of mission which bolstered a sense of her own exceptionality as a 'prophet' chosen by God. This in turn nourished her belief that she was justified in exempting herself from the roles and relationships conventionally assigned to her gender, by pursuing same-sex desire and sexless motherhood.