McDonagh, John (1998) Narrating the nation? : post-colonial perspectives on Patrick Kavanagh's 'The great hunger' (1942) and Brendan Kennelly's 'Cromwell' (1983). PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The nature of Irish post-colonialism is not fixed. The
chronological periods surrounding the colonial era in Irish
history are relatively unproblematic, but the real debate emerges
in the analysis of the effect of the colonial era on perceptions
of national identity and how these perceptions were altered or
underpinned in the post-colonial nation state. The complexities
involved in accurately defining the coloniser and the colonised,
the colonial identity and the post-colonial identity, serve to
illuminate the fact that these concepts are based on
interpretations of complex and unresolved relationships which
have emerged over hundreds of years. To arrive prematurely at
definitive conclusions as to their nature only serves to
perpetuate stereotypes beyond which the post-colonial debate must
move. The best that can be hoped for is that a reasonable and
sustainable position can be found in relation to the larger
question of Ireland's complicated post-colonial identity. The
nature of Irish colonisation and its consequences require the
examination of the plurality of possible interpretations. There
are no fixed boundaries but rather a series of relational
positions which must be occupied on the nature of possession and
dispossession, cultural connectedness and dislocation and
consequent perceptions of national identity.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PR English literature
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Kavanagh, Patrick, 1904-1967. Great hunger -- Criticism and interpretation, Kennelly, Brendan. Cromwell -- Criticism and interpretation, Nationalism -- Ireland, Postcolonialism -- Ireland
Official Date:	March 1998
Dates:	Date Event March 1998 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Centre for Translation and Comparative Cultural Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Extent:	315 leaves
Language:	eng

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