Constructing Identity in the Poetry of Tony Harrison: Revised and Expanded Edition

Tony Harrison's work explores the tension between two cultures, reflecting and exploring this tension through his poetry. This second edition has been revised and includes a new chapter on Harrisons Elegies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2021
Publisher: Peter Lang AG

When Tony Harrison entered Leeds Grammar School as a scholarship boy in 1948, he found himself at the crossroads of two distinct cultures, as Richard Hoggart observed. His education exposed him to the "classics," but it also left him without a strong sense of belonging to the place where he had grown up. This tension permeates his work, serving as a reflection and exploration of this dichotomy. In certain ways, his art can be seen as a manifestation of "identity construction."

The book delves into pivotal texts like "v." and the "School of Eloquence" sequence, where this construction manifests in various ways. It oscillates between identity as a fixed state, a continuous process, a result of conformity, or a rebellion. This second edition has undergone extensive revisions, including the addition of a new chapter on Harrisons "Elegies."

Through his art, Tony Harrison sought to reconcile the conflicting influences of his upbringing and education, creating a unique and multifaceted identity that reflects the complexities of the human experience. His work continues to resonate with audiences, offering a profound exploration of the nature of identity and the challenges of navigating between different cultures.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783631837450
Edition number: New ed