A review of First NationsLiterature including two plays by Marie Clements: "Burning Vision" and "The Unnatural and Accidental Women", and a poetry book "Exercises in Lip Pointing" by Annharte.
Abstract This paper discusses of some of the ways in which First Nationsliterature makes a criticism of North American society and culture. the paper explains that in "Burning Vision", Clements makes it clear that the First World is pathologically sick in terms of its attitude to the world and its people and resources. The paper then examines the theme of resistance and struggle and decolonization in three of the texts. The writer believes that if First Nations' existence is defined by their status as having been colonized by people of a different race, then their salvation lies in resistance and struggle. The writer concludes that if First Nations cannot decolonize their countries, they can at least decolonize their minds, and that is what many of the best First Nations writers strive to do, which accounts for the central importance of this theme in much of their literature.
From the Paper "Clements also seems to imply that the ultimate expression of this rape is nuclear destruction - the ultimate assertion of power, delivered in phallic-shaped bombs by phallic-shaped jets. In this regard, it is important to remember that FAT MAN was the name of one of the atomic bombs. Moreover, the other atomic bomb was code named LITTLE BOY. This was unintentional irony, given that it is Western male aggression that propelled colonization, as well as the kind of destruction meted out by the atomic bombs. In The Unnatural and Accidental Women, Clements seems to be on a totally different track, focusing on poor women living in Vancouver's Eastside in the 1980s."
Abstract This paper discusses 'First Nationsliterature' as referring to the poems, novels, stories, plays, legends and songs created by Aboriginal writers from North America. The paper describes the lack of First Nationliterature and how what does exist reflects upon North American society. The paper provides examples from two books (a novel and an historical text), a play, and a film in its analysis.
From the Paper "The very making of this film offers a critique on North American society, as the filmmakers hoped to revitalize Inuit traditions and bring the legends of the past to a whole new generation of youth. The new growth in Native literature is continuing this trend, with distinctive Aboriginal voices speaking up to offer a renewed critique of Western society. This literature is uniquely capable of reminding all North Americans about the continued impact of our bloody history, the contemporary failure to ensure social justice for all, and the need for hope in creating a shared future together."
Abstract The paper relates that Thailand willingly accepted different kinds of national and philosophical influences from other nations while the Philippines were subject to foreign control and colonial influence. The paper shows, therefore, how Philippine literature has emerged in a primarily popular and oppositional context unlike Thailand's literature that is from an academic and complementary historical context.
From the Paper "Thailand and the Philippines provide interesting contrasting studies of East Asian literature because of their unique geographic locations and histories. Thailand in its early incarnation was a kind of crossroads of South East Asian cultural life and it willingly accepted different kinds of national and philosophical influences from other nations. Its traditional literature up to the 19th century encompasses Buddhist, Chinese, and Indian traditions. The Philippines are islands that were subject to foreign control and colonial influence. They were exposed to the influence of other nations not through geographic proximity, but the imposition of foreign ideas and concepts that were supposed to override the voices of its national, indigenous literature."
Abstract This essay examines the main issues that were involved in the contentious debate over American literary nationalism at the beginning of the 19th century in the United States. The English critic Sidney Smith's biting comment "Who reads an American book"? is discussed, in terms of how it continued, and helped perpetuate, the debate about American literary nationalism. Further, this essay outlines how Washington Irving's tales in "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon" helped to fulfill the need for a unique, American literature that was noted by the Englishman Sidney Smith.
From the Paper "There were several main issues that fired the contentious debate over American literary nationalism at the beginning of the 19th century, in the United States. The debate surrounded the apparent inability of American authors to produce quality literature. Certainly, America had received its political independence from Britain long before the 19th century, but in terms of art and literature, America had failed to produce works that were equal (of better) in quality to those produced in Great Britain. Certainly, and most importantly, the major point of this debate was that there was no clearly unique style of American literature. Equally important was the perception that the American literature produced was inferior in quality to that produced by British authors (Early). Interestingly, this inability to produce quality literature was reflected in the lacklustre sense of American cultural identity. In Adventures in American Literature: Classic Edition, James Early suggests that a strong sense of American cultural identity needed to be rooted in a "significant national literature"."
Tags: novel, literature, american, national, book, english
Abstract This paper examines the literature of various black American writers and poets. The paper explains that numerous black writers found new ways to express the feelings of their people and created a rich canon of thought and expression leading up to the Civil Rights Movement. The paper looks at how some of these writings show an underlying demand for change. The paper also points out that many of the early literary figures, like W.E.B. DuBois, wrote against slavery. In addition, the paper looks at how, in the latter part of the 20th century black, nationalism was influenced by Darwinian science and by Victorian conceptions of virtue. The paper cites "Coming of Age in Mississippi" by Anne Moody, as an example of the nature of the threat to black Americans.
From the Paper "DuBois also celebrates aspects of black culture, from the songs of the slaves to and the music they and their descendants make to their religious belief and the special religious observance they developed in the black church in America. He sees the black community then standing at the dawn of freedom, a freedom not yet fully achieved but set out as a potential for all.
"The nature of the threat to black Americans is evident in Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody. She becomes very aware of why as she grows to adulthood and sees more and more racism all around her."
Tags:nationalism, mississippi, freedom, slave, church
An analysis of the interactions between literature and community within the context of Sophocles' "Oedipus the King," as well as within the context of modern Canadian literature and culture.
Abstract This paper discusses how a community generates literature that reflects its own attitudes and values and how literature simultaneously moulds community, and reflects it. It consider these interacting influences within the context of Sophocles' "Oedipus the King," as well as within the context of modern Canadian literature and culture. The paper also discusses this in the context of the writer's own experience of cultural community.
From the Paper "One of these distinctly Canadian discourses may be said to be the discourse of sport, and particularly of hockey. As one theorist put it, "The rituals of sport engage more people in a shared experience than any other institution or cultural activity today." (Varda Burstyn, The Rites of Men, quoted in Coakley and Donnelly, 1) Watching hockey together has become a symbolic action that unites Canadians. Interestingly, sport as a component of ideology and community building is highlighted in John B. Lee's poetry collection, The Hockey Player Sonnets: Overtime Edition. Lee succeeds in making clear a significant aspect of Canadian hockey-related mythology, albeit one that is primarily white and male."
This paper discusses the theme of sleep in American Gothic classic literature, which includes W.B. Brown's "Somnambulism: A Fragment" and Washington Irving's "Rip Van Winkle".
Abstract This paper explains that, through the medium of sleep, the authors highlight important issues of the age, personal psychology, and the state of the psyche of the nation. The author points out that, through his textual illustration, Brown was highlighting a common fear of time brought about by the birth of liberated thinking and of psychology, a type of hidden monster syndrome, the battle between the subconscious and the conscious mind. The paper relates that Irving intends for sleep to be the medium through which he can examine the past and present states of America, rather than the internal struggle of his character, Rip.
From the Paper "In the text of "Somnambulism", the main character Althorpe is obsessed with thoughts of imaginary dangers that his love might fall prey to. During an inner dialogue Althorpe says "The evil that menaced was terrible" (1) although he even admits to himself that his fears were "groundless and ridiculous" (2). However, through his uncontrolled obsession he brings about his own greatest fears. While sleeping walking he fulfils his own prophecy and murders the girl by the oak tree. Althorpe looses all control of his own actions and wishes while sleeping."
Tags: psychology, history, althorpe, nation, control
Abstract The paper compares and contrasts British and American literature and contends that they are similar in their response to the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution, but they diverge in their interpretation of romanticism. The paper relates that the short story and transcendental writing are also different between the two nations, as opposed to mysteries which are alike and equally popular in both.
From the Paper "Although America and Great Britain are separated by an ocean, they are connected at the pen so to speak. The similarities in their literature are more numerous than their differences. This is partly due to their common heritage, America having originally been a colony of England. Even beyond that, though, the literature of both countries was influenced by the same factors. One such factor was the Industrial Revolution. The influence of that revolution upon both countries was significant."
Tags: British, American, literature, romanticism, transcendental, short story, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, compare, contrast, mystery
A research study looking at the impact nationalism has had on Europe and, in particular, the way in which nationalism as an ideological concept is perceived and understood.
Abstract This paper explores the assumption that the views and theories about nationalism are to a great extent determined by the dominant theories, philosophies and perceptions of the age. In this sense it is a contention of this paper that modern nationalism needs to be understood within the context of the broader issues of modern and postmodern speculative thought. This paper also attempts to ascertain the way that theorists and thinkers over the years have understood and influenced the concept and ideology of nationalism. The study therefore provides an overview of the salient most cogent theories and perspectives on the changing views of nationalism. Additionally, the paper attempts to refer these theories and counter theories to actual contemporary situations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is Nationalism?
Nationalism and Ideology
Cultural Nationalism Romanticism and Nationalism Nationalism as a Social Construction
Hobsbawm and Geller
Summations and Reflections
From the Paper "It is something of a truism to say that ethnic and nationalist movements have become a dominant force in the world in the past century. It is also relatively easy to forecast that the future of Europe will be shaped to a great extent by nationalistic imperatives and philosophies. One only has to look at the recent history of Eastern Europe and the Balkans for general and tentative conformation of these assumptions. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the fragmentation of the region have allowed nationalisms and ethnic groups to emerge in many areas. And, according to modern theorists of nationalism, we are also seeing the invention of new "nationalisms" that are being constructed by political and ideological forces - sometimes with devastating consequences."
Abstract The writer of this paper contends that the reason the internet is such a big part of globalization is due to the fact that for the first time in history, any individual in any part of the world can communicate in a completely uncensored way over the entire planet. This paper focuses on the combination of nationalism and isolationism within the realm of the internet. This paper examines the advantages of nationalism that began to flourish, thanks in large part to internet technology, as the first world nations and the rest of the industrialized world separated itself from the less capable or developed nations. This paper analyzes the numerous aspects of the internet which are far different from other mediums as it provides a way to present information in a variety of approaches, each uniquely different and targeted to a specific audience. The paper also discusses the downside to the internet and advanced technology, in that it has become a source of isolationism in many third world countries. The writer claims that internet access on a global scale has a definite negative stigma which has been termed the 'digital divide.' This paper examines how the movement of globalization and strong nationalism has isolated third world nations. The writer contends that while nationalism flourishes, attention must be given to the those third world countries that have become more and more isolated due to their inability to bring technology to their citizens.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Internet
Nationalism & Globalization
Isolationism
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "The internet is basically a way for organizations, parties and movements to present them selves in the same way as we would look at a magazine, newspaper, radio shows or television presentations. The unique aspects of the Internet that is different from these other mediums because it provides a way to present information in a plethora of ways, each way uniquely different for however the target audiences may be. In the same respect, the Internet can personalize 'homepages,' or web sites to also present a very individual message for different audiences. The Internet, therefore, is a much more public and at the same time personal provider of information. This also entails that a majority of the Internet is completely dominated by individual users such as newsgroups, chats, BBS while other parts are completely commercial business related."
Abstract This paper attempts to provide a more critical examination of what is meant by nationalism by looking to two works of fiction ? the 1919 Mr Standfast by John Bucan and the 1933 mystery novel Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Both of these novels develops ideas of nationalism that are rooted in the historical concerns of these moments in time. Both in many ways now seem to us rather quaintly nostalgic. However, it is important to understand how very much the ideas ? and ideals ? of nationalism that are expressed in these two books are still with us today.
From the paper:
"We are currently surrounded with reminders of how the fabric of nationalism is woven: This has, of course, been especially true since the attacks on American on the 11th of September. It has become increasingly difficult to go anywhere now without seeing flags or other forms of patriotism and nationalism. And yet, while the heart may indeed swell at such demonstrations, the current uprising of nationalist sentiment provides a moment not only for us to join together in mutually felt pride in our nation but also to examine precisely what it is that nationalism means."
Abstract This paper explains that Umut Ozkirimli stated in ?Theories of Nationalism? that nationalism has been around for more than two hundred years, but serious scholarly examinations of the origins and spread of nationalism did not begin to pick up momentum until after WWII. The author points out that this book is best when arguing Ozkirimli's perspective and bringing others? views to light. The paper relates that Anthony Smith's book seeks to separate ?nationalism? from ?national identity?.
From the Paper "Smith points out that Gellner (whose ideas and work appear on 44 pages of Ozkirimli's book, but in only 3 pages of Smith's book), the ?modernist,? says nationalism (page 71) ?is not the awakening of nations to self-consciousness; it invents nations where they do not exist,? albeit it does need some "pre-existing differentiating marks to work on"? That statement is disputable, given the nationalism that has run its course in the 20th Century. Did Hitler awaken Germany to self-consciousness in the late 1930s, adroitly exploiting the German common man's resentment for the outcome of WWI? The answer has to be yes."
Abstract This paper argues that ,while environmental treaties are justified in their interference with issues traditionally related to state sovereignty, such interference allows nations to challenge environmental treaties. It explains that this was very clear in the case of the Convention on Climate Change when several nations, such as the United States and China, refused to abide by the treaty, and even more, did not follow its terms even after agreeing to them. The writer points out that one of the most noticeable factors here is that it is mainly the industrialized or developed nations that have the power and strength to openly defy these treaties, while the Third World countries cannot for the simply reason that financial aid is, to some degree, partly dependant upon their national environmental laws. In this sense, an imbalance develops whereby the developed world has the choice to either reject or accept those treaties, and the Third World largely does not. From an analysis of this imbalance, and after proving it with reference to a number of global environmental treaties, this paper argues that the only solution lies in the creation of an international body for global environmental governance in which nations, regardless of their economic and political status, are equally represented. The aim of such a body would be to ensure respect for environmental treaties, eliminate imbalance,s and respond to one basic truth: the environment is a shared space, and one nation's abuse of it affects the lives of all people across the world. Thus, state sovereignty is an irrelevant issue here, as no nation has sovereignty over the environment.
From the Paper "The concept of national sovereignty has, since the emergence of nation-states, been regarded as sacred. At least, citizens and national governments have regarded their nation's sovereignty as sacred. That attitude was eventually transferred into law. Thereby, international law and treaties currently acknowledge and protect the principle of national sovereignty, conceding to a nation's rights to self determination and to resistance of external interventions in internal or national policies and decision making processes. However, while sovereignty is a popularly acknowledged and jealously protected political principle, sovereignty is not absolute and has its limitations. These limitations are defined by the interests of other nations and the collective welfare of all people and countries. Hence, no nation is absolutely sovereign and no government has the authority to act as it wishes within its national borders, arguing that it is protected by the principle of sovereignty. The simple fact of the matter is that in various international issues, most especially those relating to environmental policies, no country should have absolute sovereignty since, as emphasized by Robert Goodland and Herman Daly, the environment is not national but international or "universal" (1002-1003). Consequently, as relates to the environment, the concept of national sovereignty is a contentious issue."
Abstract Even though these concepts seem very similar, this paper uses contemporary examples to show the difference between a nation and a nation-state. It discusses the history of Zionism, the "Nation of Islam" quest by African-Americans, and the ongoing wars in the Balkans. It also looks at different factors taken into account when defining these concepts - religion, history and culture.
From the Paper "Defining the difference between a nation and a nation-state can seem more like a bit of philosophical hair-splitting than a useful distinction for a political scientist to make in analyzing the present global situation. However, to better understand the assumptions that underline the terms of "nation" and "nation state" it is useful to unpack such concepts before passing judgement on what is a nation or a nation state in the real world of lived political existence."
Tags:nationalism, culture, religion, history, society, zionism, balkan
This paper reviews Minxin Pei's article "The Paradoxes of American Nationalism" and discusses the two paradoxes Pei has identified regarding American nationalism.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract Nationalism in the United States is somewhat a blurred idea in the political arena. In the article "The Paradoxes of American Nationalism" Minxin Pei identifies two paradoxes of American nationalism at a general level and at the policymaking level. First, the United States is a highly nationalistic country but it is not regarded as nationalistic. Second, on a similar count policymakers in the United States have a very poor appreciation of the power of nationalism.
