Review article

Advisory Power(Lessness) of the Self-Help Literature

Sofija Vrcelj ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Rijeka
Kornelija Mrnjaus orcid.org/0000-0003-4273-0442 ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Rijeka

Abstract

In this paper the authors provide a historical dimension of self-help literature with the qualitative analysis of the dominant books produced in the U.S. area. Based on this analysis, the developmental stages of this type of literature are identified. The first stage is called stage of effort and hard work, the second stage is the stage of easy solutions, and the third stage is focused on the change (to better) of self. In addition to the American context, the paper also provides the Croatian context of self-help literature, which is characterized by initial Croatization of American authors, followed by “authentic” period. Furthermore, the paper discusses the effectiveness of self help literature, and in this regard, this literature is defined as the literature of pedagogy of (false) hope as it suggests that each individual can achieve whatever s-he wants because the conditions are damped. However, the faith and hope in the individual is not realistic because these books address no social barriers, or, if they do exist in the books, they are not a nuisance to people who think positively.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

124732

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/124732

Publication date:

15.6.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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