Comments on: English Literature: The Essence of Great Britain http://leatherheadblog.com/2009/01/27/english-literature-the-essence-of-great-britain/ News, views, humour & politics from the banks of the Mole River Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:09:05 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: i albion http://leatherheadblog.com/2009/01/27/english-literature-the-essence-of-great-britain/#comment-1203 i albion Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:32:39 +0000 http://leatherhead.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/english-literature-the-essence-of-great-britain/#comment-1203 Some one else who confuses England with Britain,for God sake get it right!!! ENGLISH THE ESSENCE OF ENGLAND Some one else who confuses England with Britain,for God sake get it right!!!
ENGLISH THE ESSENCE OF ENGLAND

]]> By: Shorts (No. 1): English literature - the ‘essence of Great Britain’? « Britology Watch: Deconstructing ‘British Values’ http://leatherheadblog.com/2009/01/27/english-literature-the-essence-of-great-britain/#comment-1202 Shorts (No. 1): English literature - the ‘essence of Great Britain’? « Britology Watch: Deconstructing ‘British Values’ Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:45:41 +0000 http://leatherhead.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/english-literature-the-essence-of-great-britain/#comment-1202 [...] one to kick off the series: a post entitled “English literature: The Essence of Great Britain”. My readers will appreciate the wry, ironic smile that such an alluring title induced in me! As it [...] [...] one to kick off the series: a post entitled “English literature: The Essence of Great Britain”. My readers will appreciate the wry, ironic smile that such an alluring title induced in me! As it [...]

]]> By: David http://leatherheadblog.com/2009/01/27/english-literature-the-essence-of-great-britain/#comment-1201 David Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:15:39 +0000 http://leatherhead.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/english-literature-the-essence-of-great-britain/#comment-1201 Don't you mean English literature embodies the essence of <i>England</i>, and English history, culture, etc? Just as Scottish literature evokes the Scottish experience, and Irish literature conveys the Irish spirit and history, etc. The very fact that we call it 'English literature' should tell you something: that it's ultimately an expression of the English culture and character. There's no such thing as 'British literature' (even less 'Great British literature') other than as the sum of the separate canons of English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish literature. It's true, however, that in the past, the national and political identities of England and Great Britain have been merged. But that's never been the case for its literature or other art forms. And it's even less so now that the political and formal identities of Britain and England are increasingly parting company. Don’t you mean English literature embodies the essence of England, and English history, culture, etc? Just as Scottish literature evokes the Scottish experience, and Irish literature conveys the Irish spirit and history, etc. The very fact that we call it ‘English literature’ should tell you something: that it’s ultimately an expression of the English culture and character. There’s no such thing as ‘British literature’ (even less ‘Great British literature’) other than as the sum of the separate canons of English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish literature.

It’s true, however, that in the past, the national and political identities of England and Great Britain have been merged. But that’s never been the case for its literature or other art forms. And it’s even less so now that the political and formal identities of Britain and England are increasingly parting company.

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