Narration and Representation of Race in Matthew Kneale's English Passengers (original) (raw)

Crossroads in Literature and Culture, Editors: Jacek Fabiszak, Ewa Urbaniak-Rybicka, Bartosz Wolski, ISBN: 978-3-642-21993-1, pp. 199-207, 2013

Abstract

Matthew Kneale’s multiple-perspective novel, English passengers, written around the centenary of Queen Victoria’s death, attempts to portray the realities of the underprivileged races in pre—and early Victorian times. In order for the image to be as impartial as possible, both the repressed and the oppressors are given time on the podium and allowed to present their opinions without apparent interference on the side of the author. Yet, not all the speakers are equally credible. The problematic nature of colonization is shown, with negative consequences arising also from seemingly good intentions. The article presents the differences in modes of presentation of the English, Manx and Tasmanian narrators and characters—the differences in perception of the world and language, as well as their dependence on the circumstances. The interweaving of various identities—the colonizers and the colonized and the subjective nature of the ‘other’ are also explored. As a whole, the article explores the impact of the narrative structure on the credibility of the narrators and narratives and the way they are perceived by the reader.

Maciej Sulmicki hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let Maciej know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.