NATIONAL IDENTITY IN SCOTTISH LITERATURE

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NATIONAL IDENTITY IN SCOTTISH LITERATURE

• By
• Roseanne Osuji

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History of Scottish Literature

• Scotland has a long history of battling for its
  national identity.
• Landmarks throughout this history led to the
  emergence of Scottish Literature as we know it.
• Battle of independence left behind many emotions
  within the Scottish people.

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The Fifteenth Century The Flowering

• Scotlands national and cultural presence began
  to emerge.
• Each King had to fight for their power.
• Scottish connection with France was fruitful.
• Scots learned French language and Paris had
  influence in major Scottish universities.

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The Fifteenth Century The Flowering (cont)

• James IV set up the first chair of medicine.
• Passed law that all sons of barons and land
  owners would attend school aged 8.
• Bishop Elphinstone wanted to preserve Scottish
  form of worship National identity.

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The Fifteenth Century The Flowering (Cont)

• 2nd half of century Scotland reached greater
  level of peace with England.
• Trading with other countries enhanced global
  stance.
• Scotland on a new path/brighter future.
• Flowering represents attractive growth of
  Scotland throughout this time.

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Emergence and Development of Scottish Literature

• 2 poets stood out in late 15th century paving the
  way for Scottish literature.
• Robert Henryson and William Dunbar.
• THE SURFACE GORGEOUSNESS OF DUNBARS POEMS
  CONTRASTS WITH THE WILDER AND MORE BRUTAL
  EXTRAVGANCE OF HIS IMAGINATION, AND THESE, IN
  TURN, PLAY AGAINST A DARKER AND MORE SINGULAR
  SPIRIT OF PESSIMISM. DUNBAR SPEAKS OF THE
  PRODIGALITY OF THE COURT LIFE AND HE ALWAYS
  SPEAKS OF HIMSELF. HENRYSON, ON THE OTHER HAND
  HAS A BROADER AND LESS SELFISH NATURE, A MATURE
  COMPASSION FOR THE SPIRITUAL PLIGHT OF MAN AND A
  PRACTICAL SYMPATHY FOR THE COMMON FOLK

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Use of language in Scottish Literature

• Scots use language as a weapon (Bold)
• Authors can choose to hold on to a language
  associated with the past that can exclude others.
• Scottish Gaelic becoming less attractive.
• Allowed Scots to keep a sense of national
  identity within literature.

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The Union in 1707

• Acts of union passed on 1st May 1707.
• For many put an end to the strong and independent
  Scotland.
• Now run by England and in threat of losing
  national identity.
• Scottish authors tried to maintain identity
  within their novels.

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Key 19th century Scottish novelists Sir Walter
Scott

• Scotland increasingly industrialised.
• Collapse of clan structure led to emigration.
• Intelligent scholars moved to England.
• Sir Walter Scott penned Rob Roy.
• Selective view of Scotland to that of Tartanry
  and Kailyard.

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Key 19th century Scottish novelistsJM Barrie

• Well known for writing Peter Pan.
• Scottish novelist penned Auld Licht Idylls.
• Language and terminology of book immersed in
  ideas of Kailyard.

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The evolution of Scottish Literature

• Both novelists paved the way for people to follow
  suit.
• Too focused on how Scotland used to be, no
  literature on Scotland in the present.
• Many elements of truth in these novels still
  elements of myth also.
• Modern reality was very different.

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Clydesideism in Modern Scottish Literature

• People losing sense of national identity.
• Caught up in the past did not leave room for the
  future.
• Industrialism slowed, job losses, Scotland in
  depression.
• Clydesideism challenged ideas of Tartanry and
  Kailyard.

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Modern Literature Irvine Welsh

• Trainspotting published in 1993 by Author Irvine
  Welsh.
• Book about drugs, theft, sex and violence.
• Run down image of Edinburgh.
• Refer to Scotland as the scum of the earth.

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Modern Scottish Literature Ian Rankin

• Well known Scottish crime writer.
• Inspector Rebus series.
• Gritty and graphic crimes based in Edinburgh.
• Idea that character hates home town of Fife.

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Modern Scottish Literature James Kellman

• How late was it How late
• Character goes on drinking binge and get beat up
  by police.
• Working class man from a broken family.

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Modern Scottish Literature as a whole

• May have addressed myths in Scottish literature.
• But portrays country as a dangerous and violent
  place to live.
• Focuses on negative aspects of living in Scotland
  lost our sense of national pride.

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Conclusion

• Scottish literature has gone through changes in
  last years.
• Myth to danger.
• Modern literature may not offer better
  alternative for national identity.
• Past ideas offered better feeling for Scots.
• Few Scottish literatures are allowing Scotland to
  move forward.

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Class Question

• What do you think is a better portrayal of our
  National Identity within Scottish Literature
  Past or Present?