Summary
Dragana Mašović: Irish Literature I - II
From the Beginnings to 1800
From 1800 to Modern Times
The 19th century brought major changes in Irish society and culture, some of which gave birth and others established its uniqueness. The book traces key turning points in Irish history: unification with Britain, the famine epidemic and the fall of the political champion, Charles Stewart Parnell. The social, demographic, cultural, linguistic and literary map of Ireland recorded these milestones. The eighteenth century ended with religious polarization, into Catholic and Protestant sides and a division between the Gaelic poor peasantry and the urban middle class, mostly English speakers. All this leads to a political crisis at the end of the seventies, heralding the turbulent 20th century. The literature of Ireland follows these fractures.
The contemporary Irish scene, from writer Frank McCourt, musician Bono, dance group Riverdance, to Van Morrison, actor Liam Neeson, businessman Antony O'Reilly, shows how Irish culture is rising again. Four Nobel Prizes should also be added to that. Their works are an important response to the changing cultural map of modern Ireland.
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