Writing as Poaching: Interpellation and Self-Fashioning in Colonial relaciones de méritos y servicios

R.A. Folger

Research output: Book/ReportBookAcademic

Abstract

Colonial Spanish bureaucracy produced masses of 'autobiographical' texts (relaciones de méritos and servicios) which forced/invited individuals to present themselves as perfect subjects of the King in order to be rewarded. Bureaucracy produced the officials of the colonial regime, and, at the same time, it provided individuals with the possibility of exploring the literary potential of writing one's curriculum vitae. This book helps contextualize a body of often-used yet understudied historic sources; it indicates that the fabric of early modern society was held together by a pervasive economy of mercedes (rewards); and it shows that the tension between state-induced production of autobiographical documents and the individual's endeavor to outsmart this system is at the origin of modern forms of literature.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationLeiden; Boston
PublisherBrill
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Keywords

  • Specialized histories (international relations, law)
  • Literary theory, analysis and criticism
  • Culturele activiteiten
  • Overig maatschappelijk onderzoek

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