Options
The cultural landscapes of Seamus Heaney
Author
Low, Tung Mun
Supervisor
Holden, Philip
Abstract
The colonial landscape is the scene of competing discourses of imperialism and post-colonialism. Typical colonialist texts describe colonial landscapes as having qualities that distinguish them from the colonial centre (Europe). In turn, these qualities are used to create an image of the 'Other' out of the native who dwells in the landscape. Post-colonial writers respond to this discourse by seeking to reclaim the landscape through depiction that refbtes colonialist norms and standards. The case of Ireland is in some ways representative among colonies because her long history of foreign rule; yet it is in other ways unique in that the part of Ireland remains under 'colonial' rule. Irish poet Seamus Heaney, writing at the nexus of the Troubles (sectarian strife) between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, seeks to use the portrayal of landscape in his poetry as a tool to decolonise the Irish landscape.
Colonialist control of the landscape takes the form of attributing meanings to the landscape in such a way as to set in against the coloniser's own home landscapes, with the eventual aim of achieving mastery and control over it through an imposed system of valuations. Heaney's response to this in his early work is to endeavour to present alternative icons the would serve as cultural 'centres' for Ireland. Landscape itself is also seen as a repository of 'Irishness', a notion reinforced by the historical closeness of the Irish and the land. Heaney's later work begins to explore landscape as itself in some way a progenitor of violence; his poetry also takes on more overtly political overtones as the poet confronts the brutality of the Troubles. Landscape thus becomes a tool for Heaney to address real issues while at the same time serving as a firm cultural and historical anchor for his Irish roots.
Colonialist control of the landscape takes the form of attributing meanings to the landscape in such a way as to set in against the coloniser's own home landscapes, with the eventual aim of achieving mastery and control over it through an imposed system of valuations. Heaney's response to this in his early work is to endeavour to present alternative icons the would serve as cultural 'centres' for Ireland. Landscape itself is also seen as a repository of 'Irishness', a notion reinforced by the historical closeness of the Irish and the land. Heaney's later work begins to explore landscape as itself in some way a progenitor of violence; his poetry also takes on more overtly political overtones as the poet confronts the brutality of the Troubles. Landscape thus becomes a tool for Heaney to address real issues while at the same time serving as a firm cultural and historical anchor for his Irish roots.
Date Issued
1999
Call Number
PR6058.E2 Low
Date Submitted
1999