LIT 256 Britain in Fragments: Literary Production from 1945 to the Present
In this course, students will read a broad selection of British Literature, from the post-war period to the present day. While the literature of the early twentieth century is often characterized as international in nature, in the post-war era and during the epoch of decolonization, British literature takes an apparent inward turn, becoming increasingly interested in the nature and definition of Britishness. Yet, the literature from this period is not necessarily insular or parochial, but rather depicts the emergence of a complex and contested national identity as the British archipelago developed from within its own borders to become a more and more culturally diverse territory. During the course, students will examine how regional identities conflict or overlap with national identity considering, for example, the North/South divide and urban/rural divisions; will study the rise of various competing nationalisms within the bounds of the archipelago, including Scottish nationalism; and will explore the growing impact of diverse immigrant communities on the national character. The course examines British literature and culture not as a homogenous whole but as a varied and sometimes contentious conglomeration. Through reading a variety of poetry, prose, and drama, students will explore what characterizes contemporary Britain and what the status and role of literary culture is today. They will develop an understanding of the current state of British literary production as well as the relation between the nation state and the state of fiction.
Reading list may include works by: Julian Barnes, Seamus Heaney, Sam Selvon, Ali Smith, Zadie Smith, and Irvine Welsh.
Prerequisite
LC 100 or LC 110