Modern Irish Literature

The early decades of the twentieth century was a period of remarkable creativity in Irish writing. During those decades Irish writers made a significant contribution to both Irish literature and world literature. In this course we will discuss a number of exemplary works from this period, beginning with the founding of the Abbey Theatre in 1904 and some of the plays produced there. We will then explore the poetry of W.B Yeats, paying attention to the different stages in his writing career and his evolving poetic engagement with Ireland and modernity. Finally we will examine two works by James Joyce, his short story ‘The Dead’ and his first novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

Throughout we will be exploring the complex relationship between literature, culture and politics in this formative period of Irish history. We will also be developing our understanding of the Irish Revival and of Irish Modernism.

Primary texts:

Augusta Gregory (with W.B. Yeats) Cathleen Ni Houlihan

W. B. Yeats, The Countess Cathleen

J.M. Synge, The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea

W.B.Yeats, selected poetry

James Joyce, ‘The Dead’ and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man