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Englishness
Foreigners and Images of National Identity in Postwar Literature
Series: - Studia Imagologica, Volume: 5
Author:
Faced with the demise of their country on the world stage, with the Americanization of their society and with the prospect of integration into Europe, many people in postwar-Britain, and in particular in England, began to look more closely at their national identity. Using literature as a source material, this study investigates postwar images of Englishness as they are defined in relation not only to âAmericansâ and âEuropeansâ, but also to other foreigners: the âArabsâ and the âRussians.â In the context of the Anglo-American novel particular regard is given to Englishness in Evelyn Waughâs The Loved One and David Lodgeâs Changing Places. Subsequently the book focuses on that peculiarly English genre âthe invasion storyâ, tales in which Englishness comes under direct attack from evil plotters from abroad. While the history of the genre is discussed at some length, detailed attention is paid to images of Englishness in Angus Wilsonâs The Old Men at the Zoo (united European forces invade a Euro-recalcitrant Britain), Anthony Burgessâ 1985 (Arab infiltrators prepare to Islamize the English) and Kingsley Amisâ Russian Hide and Seek (after a period of occupation the Russians attempt to give the English back their Englishness).