The Cold of May Day Monday An Approach to Irish Literary History
Synopsis
The Cold of May Day Monday offers an indvidual view of the history of Irish literature from its very earliest phases up to the present day, more or less, with discussions of major writers such as Friel, Heaney, Derek Mahon, McGahern, and John Banville. Robert Welch traces the roots of Irish literature in myth and legend and explores ancient and pre-Celtic deposits and remembrances; saga literature, as well as devotional writing; the bardic heritage and thecycles of tales of early Ireland; the importance and survival of folklore; and the later phases of Irish literature, from the seventeenth century onwards. Welch frames his study around themes and clusters rather than chronology, seeking to retain coherence by means of a sustained attention to the thematic
strains. Substantial attention is paid to the figure of the Hag in Irish literary culture. The often deeply troubled relations between Ireland and England inevitably call for treatment as well, most notably in chapters examining the Great Famine and its consequences for literature and cultural expression. Yeats is one of the key figures, as are O'Casey and Synge, but the focus is on their literary output, not their political experiences (though these are not overlooked).Robert Welch offers a
readable account of a fascinating literary history, providing insights into the connections between Irish legend and literature, and accounts of the some of the best Irish writers of the twentieth century.
Book details
- Author:
- Robert Anthony Welch
- ISBN:
- 9780191510458
- Related ISBNs:
- 9780191510465, 9780199686841
- Publisher:
- OUP Oxford
- Pages:
- 316
- Reading age:
- Not specified
- Includes images:
- No
- Date of addition:
- 2022-12-08
- Usage restrictions:
- Copyright
- Copyright date:
- 2014
- Copyright by:
- N/A
- Adult content:
- No
- Language:
- English
- Categories:
- Language Arts, Literature and Fiction