English Imaginaries : Anglo-British Approaches to Modernity

by Rutherford, Jonathan

• ISBN13: 9780853158677
• ISBN10: 0853158673
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: Lawrence & Wishart Ltd

Summary

In this groundbreaking book, Kevin Davey examines notions of Anglo-British identity as represented by both conservative and progressive cultural initiatives. He argues that attempts at modernizing in Britain are hampered by a traditional nationalism that fails to engage with the complexities of contemporary culture. Drawing upon the work of pre- and post-war critics of dominant notions of Britishness, including J. B. Priestley, Herbert Read, Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll, Davey relates their views to the work of more recent challengers of traditional notions of Englishness. He analyzes Who guitarist Pete Townshend, who once wore a Union Jack jacket as a satirical statement but now aligns himself with the royalist establishment, and Vivienne Westwood, who invented anti-fashion and has since become a giant of haute couture. These two are placed in context alongside contemporary icons such as the Guyanan poet David Dabydeen and young British artist Mark Wallinger.

Table of Contents

Introduction	7	(31)
Jonathan Rutherford
The us generation	31	(8)
Frances O'Grady
Underworked and underpaid	39	(12)
Ian Brinkley
A new deal for young black Britain	51	(7)
Balbir Chatrik
Bypassing politics? A critical look at DiY culture	58	(16)
Peter Gartside
Hijabs in our midst	74	(9)
Noshin Ahmad
Paradigm lost? Youth and pop	83	(15)
Rupa Huq
Ecstasy in the unhappy society	98	(14)
Jonathan Keane
``That's entertainment...'': generation X in the time of New Labour	112	(15)
Michael Kenny
Not such tolerant times	127	(20)
Bilkis Malek
Reading identity: young Black British men	147	(7)
Elaine Pennicott
The benefits of work?: lone motherhood under New Labour	154	(14)
Karen Triggs
Notes on contributors	168