Contemporary British Identity

Contemporary British Identity
Author: Christina Julios
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 280
Release: 2017-11-30
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1351161180

Against the background of an increasingly diverse British society, this book traces the evolution of British identity in the twentieth century. Debates exploring the nature of Britishness and multiculturalism are here deconstructed through a linguistic lens, which considers the role played by the English language in shaping Britain's national identity. Within this context, two significant historical events are considered: the expansionism of nineteenth century British Empire, and the subsequent rise of the United States to the position of world superpower. In charting the development of British nationhood over time, the book identifies three contrasting public narratives, each reflecting society's perceptions of the identity question at particular points in time: a discourse of laissez-faire at the turn of the century; a discourse of multiculturalism in the ensuing decades; and a discourse of integration during the closing years. The book raises fundamental questions about who we are as a nation and how we got here. It also provides clues as to the direction the prevailing public discourse on British identity is likely to take in the twenty-first century.

Rethinking Race and Identity in Contemporary British Fiction

Rethinking Race and Identity in Contemporary British Fiction
Author: Sara Upstone
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 217
Release: 2016-10-04
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 1317914805

This book takes a post-racial approach to the representation of race in contemporary British fiction, re-imagining studies of race and British literature away from concerns with specific racial groups towards a more sophisticated analysis of the contribution of a broad, post-racial British writing. Examining the work of writers from a wide range of diverse racial backgrounds, the book illustrates how contemporary British fiction, rather than merely reflecting social norms, is making a radical contribution towards the possible future of a positively multi-ethnic and post-racial Britain. This is developed by a strategic use of the realist form, which becomes a utopian device as it provides readers with a reality beyond current circumstances, yet one which is rooted within an identifiable world. Speaking to the specific contexts of British cultural politics, and directly connecting with contemporary debates surrounding race and identity in Britain, the author engages with a wide range of both mainstream and neglected authors, including Ian McEwan, Zadie Smith, Julian Barnes, John Lanchester, Alan Hollinghurst, Martin Amis, Jon McGregor, Andrea Levy, Bernardine Evaristo, Hanif Kureishi, Kazuo Ishiguro, Hari Kunzru, Nadeem Aslam, Meera Syal, Jackie Kay, Maggie Gee, and Neil Gaiman. This cutting-edge volume explores how contemporary fiction is at the centre of re-thinking how we engage with the question of race in twenty-first-century Britain.

Rethinking Race and Identity in Contemporary British Fiction

Rethinking Race and Identity in Contemporary British Fiction
Author: Sara Upstone
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 205
Release: 2016-10-04
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 1317914813

This book takes a post-racial approach to the representation of race in contemporary British fiction, re-imagining studies of race and British literature away from concerns with specific racial groups towards a more sophisticated analysis of the contribution of a broad, post-racial British writing. Examining the work of writers from a wide range of diverse racial backgrounds, the book illustrates how contemporary British fiction, rather than merely reflecting social norms, is making a radical contribution towards the possible future of a positively multi-ethnic and post-racial Britain. This is developed by a strategic use of the realist form, which becomes a utopian device as it provides readers with a reality beyond current circumstances, yet one which is rooted within an identifiable world. Speaking to the specific contexts of British cultural politics, and directly connecting with contemporary debates surrounding race and identity in Britain, the author engages with a wide range of both mainstream and neglected authors, including Ian McEwan, Zadie Smith, Julian Barnes, John Lanchester, Alan Hollinghurst, Martin Amis, Jon McGregor, Andrea Levy, Bernardine Evaristo, Hanif Kureishi, Kazuo Ishiguro, Hari Kunzru, Nadeem Aslam, Meera Syal, Jackie Kay, Maggie Gee, and Neil Gaiman. This cutting-edge volume explores how contemporary fiction is at the centre of re-thinking how we engage with the question of race in twenty-first-century Britain.

Britain Explained

Britain Explained
Author: Martin Upham
Publisher:
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2017-05-18
Genre:
ISBN: 9780993454974

Explains the complexities of British identity as expressed in politics, education, the economy, law, culture, sport, religion and social attitudes. For international and UK students taking courses covering British society and culture and the general reader wishing to understand a country divided by Brexit.The 2016 EU referendum underlined Britain's differences from its continental neighbours. But it also demonstrated how this 'united' kingdom is in many ways very disunited. England and Wales voted one way, Northern Ireland and Scotland the other; and within England the provinces voted against London. Such divisions are nothing new. Clashing interests and identities are expressed in every aspect of British history and contemporary life. Author Martin Upham spent many years explaining the complexities of British identity to Americans 'studying abroad' in London, where he was the director of AHA International (now GEO). This book is based on that experience. The result is a fascinating expedition that will entertain and educate not just students of British society and culture and those coming from abroad but also general readers concerned about the state of Britain − whether they are Brexiters or Remainers.Illustrated throughout.

Singular Continuities

Singular Continuities
Author: George K. Behlmer
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Total Pages: 308
Release: 2000
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9780804734899

This volume explores the appropriation of the past in modern British culture. The twelve essays argue that to distinguish between "the new" and "the traditional" today often draws a false dichotomy. It argues that Britishness, in fact, has been the product of continuous creation throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Being British

Being British
Author: Jan Erik Mustad
Publisher:
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2014
Genre:
ISBN: 9788702109481

The Shaping of Modern Britain

The Shaping of Modern Britain
Author: Eric Evans
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 721
Release: 2014-01-14
Genre: History
ISBN: 1317862368

In this wide-ranging history of modern Britain, Eric Evans surveys every aspect of the period in which Britain was transformed into the world's first industrial power. By the end of the nineteenth century, Britain was still ruled by wealthy landowners, but the world over which they presided had been utterly transformed. It was an era of revolutionary change unparalleled in Britain - yet that change was achieved without political revolution. Ranging across the developing empire, and dealing with such central institutions as the church, education, health, finance and rural and urban life, The Shaping of Modern Britain provides an unparallelled account of Britain's rise to superpower status. Particular attention is given to the Great Reform Act of 1832, and the implications of the 1867 Reform Act are assessed. The book discusses: - the growing role of the central state in domestic policy making - the emergence of the Labour party - the Great Depression - the acquisition of a vast territorial empire Comprehensive, informed and engagingly written, The Shaping of Modern Britain will be an invaluable introduction for students of this key period of British history.

The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture

The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture
Author: Michael Higgins
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages:
Release: 2010-08-19
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 1139827952

British culture today is the product of a shifting combination of tradition and experimentation, national identity and regional and ethnic diversity. These distinctive tensions are expressed in a range of cultural arenas, such as art, sport, journalism, fashion, education, and race. This Companion addresses these and other major aspects of British culture, and offers a sophisticated understanding of what it means to study and think about the diverse cultural landscapes of contemporary Britain. Each contributor looks at the language through which culture is formed and expressed, the political and institutional trends that shape culture, and at the role of culture in daily life. This interesting and informative account of modern British culture embraces controversy and debate, and never loses sight of the fact that Britain and Britishness must always be understood in relation to the increasingly international context of globalisation.

The Making of English National Identity

The Making of English National Identity
Author: Krishan Kumar
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 390
Release: 2003-03-13
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780521777360

Why is English national identity so enigmatic and so elusive? Why, unlike the Scots, Welsh, Irish and most of continental Europe, do the English find it so difficult to say who they are? The Making of English National Identity, first published in 2003, is a fascinating exploration of Englishness and what it means to be English. Drawing on historical, sociological and literary theory, Krishan Kumar examines the rise of English nationalism and issues of race and ethnicity from earliest times to the present day. He argues that the long history of the English as an imperial people has, as with other imperial people like the Russians and the Austrians, developed a sense of missionary nationalism which in the interests of unity and empire has necessitated the repression of ordinary expressions of nationalism. Professor Kumar's lively and provocative approach challenges readers to reconsider their pre-conceptions about national identity and who the English really are.