Post modern true self

Butt is saying that the conceptualization of a true self was not possible prior to the industrial revolution (premodern), because during that time people had little to no agency over thier life. They often went on to follow in thier family footsteps, with thier life being predetermined. However after the industrial revolution (post modern time) people were able to start making choices, and were afforded more agency when they began traveling to the workplace/factory. Following this, Butt would agrue that the self could be considered more malleable, as the discourse of society had more of an affect on peoples social constructs.