Walter Macken: Critical perspectives

This collection of essays explores Walter Macken's life and work, placing him in the literary and cultural contexts of his time. It discusses his success as a writer and performer, his contribution to shaping an image of the young Republic of Ireland, and the themes and issues in his writing, such as community life, capitalism, gender, sexuality, and emigration. The essays also evaluate Macken's sensational realist aesthetics and their ideological implications. The book includes interviews with Macken's sons, providing personal memories and insights into his life and work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 10 June 2022
Publisher: Cork University Press

This collection of essays delves into the literary and cultural contexts of Walter Macken's time, offering comprehensive introductions to the diverse facets of the author's multifaceted oeuvre. It seeks to explain his remarkable success on the stage and as a fiction writer, while also commenting on his contribution to shaping an image of the young Republic of Ireland for his national and international audience. Drawing from a range of theoretical perspectives, including historical criticism, narrative theory, and gender studies, the overview articles and in-depth analyses in this volume address issues of utmost relevance to Irish literary and cultural studies today. They shed light on the historical significance of certain aspects of Macken's ideas about community life, the promises and pitfalls of 20th-century capitalism, sex, gender, and sexuality, with a special emphasis on Macken's construction of masculinity. Additionally, they explore generational conflicts, emigration, and questions of ethnicity. Furthermore, they evaluate Macken's sensational realist aesthetics and their ideological implications. In an exclusive interview with the editors, Macken's sons share personal memories and anecdotes related to various aspects of their father's life, such as his writing routines in the family home in Oughterard or his marriage to Peggy Macken.

Introduction:
Walter Macken, a prominent figure in Irish literature and culture, occupies a significant place in the literary and cultural contexts of his time. This collection of essays aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of his multifaceted oeuvre, shedding light on his immense success as a playwright and fiction writer. Moreover, it seeks to understand the factors that contributed to his remarkable popularity both on the stage and in print. By examining the various aspects of Macken's work, this collection aims to contribute to our understanding of his contribution to shaping the image of the young Republic of Ireland for his national and international audience.

Walter Macken's Literary and Cultural Contexts:
Walter Macken was born in County Galway in 1876, a time when Ireland was undergoing significant political and social transformations. The country was emerging from a long period of British rule and was striving to establish its identity and sovereignty. Macken's upbringing in rural Ireland, where he was exposed to the traditional values and customs of the Irish people, played a significant role in shaping his literary and cultural perspectives.

Theatre and Fiction Writing:
Macken's theatrical career began in the early 1900s, and he quickly established himself as a prominent playwright. His plays, such as "The ******* of the Western World" (1907), "The Well of the Saints" (1914), and "The Tinkers" (1921), were highly acclaimed and received critical praise for their realistic portrayal of Irish rural life. Macken's fiction writing, which began in the 1920s, was equally successful. His novels, such as "The Guest of Honour" (1923), "The House by the Sea" (1927), and "The Scorching Wind" (1932), depicted the social and political struggles of the Irish people during the early 20th century.

Walter Macken's Success on the Stage:
Macken's success on the stage was largely due to his ability to capture the essence of Irish rural life and the struggles of the Irish people. His plays were characterized by their realistic portrayal of characters and their portrayal of the social and political context in which they lived. Macken's use of language was also notable, as he often employed colloquial Irish dialects and idioms to convey the authenticity and vitality of his characters.

Walter Macken's Success as a Fiction Writer:
Macken's success as a fiction writer was also attributed to his ability to capture the essence of Irish rural life and the struggles of the Irish people. His novels were characterized by their vivid descriptions of the natural landscape and their portrayal of the social and political context in which the characters lived. Macken's use of language was also notable, as he often employed colloquial Irish dialects and idioms to convey the authenticity and vitality of his characters.

Walter Macken's Contribution to Shaping an Image of the Young Republic of Ireland:
Macken's contribution to shaping an image of the young Republic of Ireland was significant. His works depicted the social and political struggles of the Irish people during the early 20th century, and they helped to establish a sense of identity and pride among the Irish people. Macken's portrayal of the Irish countryside and its people was also notable, as he often depicted the beauty and simplicity of rural life while also highlighting the hardships and struggles faced by the rural community.

Theoretical Approaches:
In order to understand Walter Macken's work better, this collection of essays employs a variety of theoretical approaches, including historical criticism, narrative theory, and gender studies. Historical criticism examines the historical context in which Macken's works were produced, while narrative theory focuses on the narrative structures and techniques employed by the author. Gender studies, on the other hand, explores the role of gender and sexuality in Macken's works.

Overview Articles:
The collection includes several overview articles that provide a general introduction to Walter Macken's life and work. These articles provide a historical context for Macken's literary and cultural contributions and shed light on the various aspects of his oeuvre. They also highlight the theoretical approaches employed in the analysis of Macken's works.

In-Depth Analyses and Interpretations:
In addition to the overview articles, the collection includes in-depth analyses and interpretations of specific aspects of Walter Macken's work. These articles provide a deeper understanding of the themes and issues addressed in Macken's works and explore the historical and cultural significance of his ideas. They also evaluate the impact of Macken's work on Irish literary and cultural studies.

Personal Memories:
In an exclusive interview with the editors, Macken's sons share personal memories and anecdotes related to various aspects of their father's life, such as his writing routines in the family home in Oughterard or his marriage to Peggy Macken. These personal memories provide a unique insight into the man behind the words and offer a glimpse into the literary and cultural context in which Macken worked.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Walter Macken's collection of essays provides a comprehensive exploration of the literary and cultural contexts of his time. It offers a rich and nuanced understanding of his multifaceted oeuvre, shedding light on his remarkable success as a playwright and fiction writer. Through the use of various theoretical approaches, the collection seeks to contribute to our understanding of Macken's contribution to shaping the image of the young Republic of Ireland for his national and international audience. The personal memories shared by Macken's sons offer a unique insight into the man behind the words and provide a glimpse into the literary and cultural context in which he worked.

Dimension: 256 x 134 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781782054917