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r years.These three temporal images correspond to the threestructural parts that make up the novel.The first section,titled“England,”provides aglimpse into the past of the main character,Martha,who was raised in England.Since theauthor does not define the precise location where the events occur,the reader can only inferthat it is a place where Martha formerly resided.In the opening scene,Martha is seenputting together a jigsaw puzzle depicting the counties of England.Martha’s initialmemory is of sitting on the kitchen floor,piecing together the jigsaw puzzle of the Englishprovinces,and it is this activity that prompts her initial awareness of England:“this outline of the country in front of her,this funny-shaped piece of raffia floor,a bit like a bulgy oldlady sitting on a beach with her legs stretched out the legs being Cornwall”(Barnes 4).

Chapter Three Reality of Englishness in England, England .................... 42

3.1 Declined: Devolution of the British Empire ..................... 42

3.2 Nostalgic: Lingering over the Past Glory ........................ 45

3.3 Unified: Barnes’s Life Experience and Francophile Complex ........ 47

Conclusion ......................... 51

Chapter ThreeReality of Englishness in England,England

3.1 Declined:Devolution of the British Empire

To quote new Historicists:“literary texts are vehicles of power which act as usefulobjects of study in that they contain the same potential for power and subversion as exist insociety generally”(Brannigan 6).There is no clear boundary between literature and history,and the relationship between literature and history is complicated and tangling.Greenblatt,as well as many other new historicists,believes“literary texts are vehicles of power whichact as useful objects of study in that they contain the same potential for power andsubversion as exist in society generally.”Thus it becomes clear that“the discipline ofliterary studies is not removed from the sphere of politics”(Brannigan 6).

In the twentieth century,the meaning of“nation”became a favorite concern and ashaping force for literature.The late nineteenth century saw the rise of the“Condition ofEngland”novel,which continued to be a popular venue.Since World War I,Britain hasseen itself eclipsed:economically and politically,it is dominated by the USA;culturally,itis no longer as proud as it once was.By 1920,the Government of Ireland Act allowed thearea,eventually termed the Republic of Ireland the opportunity to govern itself(Leese 18).And Leese notes the six years of recession in Britain directly after World War II:therewere food and coal shortages,which caused people to go cold and hungry,as well asnatural disasters like flooding that crippled parts of the Commonwealth(25).

Conclusion

England,England,is a novel that talks about memory,replica,and Englishness.Itdiscusses what the main national and recognizable symbols of England are.As the literarycritic Raphaël Ingelbien contends,“Englishness provides a puzzle for theorists of nationalidentity”(159)because it is an identity that no longer has clearly delineated figurativeborders.In England本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。