Representation of the 1930s Ireland: A Contextual Reading of Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes
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Department of English
Abstract
Thisresearch paper explores Frank McCourt'sAngela's Ashesasacontextual
document from the perspectiveof New Historicism.It pays a particular attention to
theissue ofthemarginalized Irishpeople and the socio-economicand politico-
cultural situationof Ireland during1930's.InAngela's Ashes, Frank McCourt
portrays the bitter and unforgettable history of Irishespecially Northern Irish in
Southern Irelandwith various events and moments that he himself experienced, saw
andlistened from other Irish people.The confrontation of Ireland with England
before the partition of Ireland and the confrontation between Southern Ireland and
Northern Ireland after partition make the innocent Irish peoplevictim, homeless,
identityless,andlifeless.So,by applyingnew historicismas a methodology, especially
the concept of Louis Montrose, Michel Foucault,Stephen Greenblatt as a tool, this
research claims thatAngela'sAshesisa contextual document andan alternative
history from the perspective of Frank McCourt that reflects the socio-economical and
politico-cultural situation before and after 1930s and repressed voice of marginal
people, that is, common Irishpeoplein general and common Northern Irishpeoplein
particular.