Resources about Self Confidence in Early American Literature
The purpose of this website is counsel others about improving self-confidence. According to the Counseling Center at TWA, Texas Women’s University, “crises of self-esteem are a part of the human experience”. Consider living life ‘on the basis of what is possible for you and what feels right to you instead of what you or others think you “should” do’ (TWA). Some other tips on self-confidence are to “respect your deeper needs and wants first” and set goals and stop listening to your “cruel inner critic”. The criteria used on this site to inform student about self-confidence by giving positive tips on building a good self-esteem (TWA). This resource is helpful in looking closely at the theme of self-confidence because of the value it brings to the study of literature. I give the website credit for posting the values of self-confidence and how to overcome those obstacles. For example, don’t avoid problems, instead face them. One way to face a problem is to identify the problem and cope with it. If there is a problem, don’t run away from it before solving it, otherwise “you threaten your self-confidence” (TWA).
2. "Definition: Self Confidence." Online Dictionary. die.net. 8 June 2007 < http://dict.die.net/self-confidence/ >.
Although very brief, the information/definition provided does define self-confidence accordingly and in simple terms to provide a clearer understanding. The definiton of self-confidence that was appealing to me is "freedom from doubt" and "belief in yourself and your abilities." It is true that one who is free from doubt, usually doubt of self, does improve self-confidence. It is the acceptance of self that will enhance the positiveness in attitude and behavior. The site defines self-confidence very briefly but very thorough.
The purpose of the site is to provide information to the public. The information provided are collected net projects from collaborators of the site. The page even offers to the public a viewing of the earth from space, or a view of the moon from earth. The page was created in 1996 and is updated several times every year.
3. "Self-Help Brochures." CounselingCenter. University of Illinois. 2 June 2007 <http://www.couns.uiuc.edu/brochures/self.htm>.
This website is a “Self-help Brochure” that provides information on self-confidence. Self-confidence is described as one having not only positive views of themselves but realistic views. The website describes how self-confidence is developed and assumptions that influence self-confidence. It further states self-defeating thought patterns as well as strategies for developing confidence. This website is a great source in defining self-confidence. Therefore it could be used as a guide when viewing other literary text to determine whether self-confidence is a factor. In defining self-confidence this source helps in determining which authors fit under the themes based on self-confidence. This site is from a credible university.
4. Washington, R.E. “Minority Identity and Self Esteem.” Annual Review of Sociology. 1993. p139-161.
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.mc.maricopa.edu/ehost/detail?vid=19&hid=119&sid=59c4c028-6511-4b7b-ba86-68927ea372a2%40sessionmgr104.
The authors discuss the research done on self-esteem among Hispanic and Asian American subgroups, and how it manifests itself in their respective literatures. It was a little more difficult to find information on self-confidence in American literature, so I went ahead and read this one. Although it doesn’t apply as much to the Transcendental period, it does offer some profound insights into how self-esteem manifests itself in literature. I found this source in MCC’s online database.
5. “Definition: Self-Confidence.” Uncommon Knowledge. 2005. 15 June 2007 < http://www.uncommonforum.com/glossary/self-confidence.html >.
This website provides “uncommon knowledge” about all kinds of topics. Here, self-confidence is defined as “a belief in yourself and your abilities, a mental attitude of trusting or relying on yourself.” Self-confidence is equated with freedom from doubt. It is feeling comfortable with uncertainty and not knowing what the outcome will be. Self-confidence is often linked with self-esteem. Both of the authors that I chose to focus on during the time of slavery in the Untied States, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Harriet Tubman, were extremely self-confident. Both stepped outside of the accepted behavior, trusting their personal instincts. Even though they were taking extreme risks by helping slaves escape and angering Southerners, they pushed forth with their beliefs, not knowing what the outcomes of their behaviors would be. Because of their confidence to fight for freedom, the path to ending slavery formed.
This website is sponsored by other dependable psychology websites.
6. “Self Confidence.” Dictionary.com. 2007. Accessed: June 23, 2007
< http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/self%20confidence >
This website is designed to give definitions.
The literary term is defined by the dictionary definition in this case.
This website is helpful in interpreting and understanding this word because it gives the meaning of the word.
The website is credible because it is a dictionary.
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