A Nation Once Again?

Faith and Criticism of National Ideas in Romantic and post-Romantic Irish Literature

Abstract

This paper will focus on the cultural foundation of modern Irish nationalism in the wake of the Irish Romantic and post-Romantic periods. Through the analysis of representative literary works, the complex system of belief and disbelief in an independent Ireland will be shown. Several generations of Irish writers shared their opinion with the public on the subject of national ideals from the late 1830s onwards, when the Young Ireland Movement started to grow in influence, and inspired following generations of Irish nationalists. Some of the junior members of the movement went on to found other associations, but the radical changes of borders did not happen until the 20th century. Faith or disbelief in a culturally and politically independent Ireland was expressed not only prior to 1922 (when independence was finally achieved), but it is still an ongoing debate in contemporary academic and literary circles. Before the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, or even before the Celtic cultural revival started at the beginning of the 19th century, there had already been a vivid industry working on the definition of Irishness. However, a generation after 1840s the militant tones of national pride were accompanied by milder and more considerate voices as the post-Romanic era came. By examining the problems, forces and counter-forces of this discussion we may arrive at a fuller understanding of Romantic and post-Romantic Irish literature.