Character: The History of a Cultural Obsession

"In her wide-ranging cultural history of the term ['character'], Garber has unearthed fascinating material and is a convivial, stimulating critic." —Michael Saler, The Times Literary Supplement

Since at least Aristotle's time, philosophers, theologians, artists, and scientists have pondered the enigma of human character. Whether defined as a moral idea, a literary persona, or a scientifically observable type, character has become omnipresent in discussions of politics, ethics, gender, moral...