Belfast = Ideological Critical Approach Flashcards
1
Q
Post-Colonialism =
A
- A post-colonialist lens can be applied to the narrative to understand the deep rooted legacy of colonialism and how it forms violence
- The Protestant-Catholic division is central to Belfast and stems from the British and Ireland colonial legacy. The division has developed into violence. Identity becomes weaponised to control the populations
- Violence and instability from the colonial consequence forces migration to England where they are fleeing to the land of the former coloniser for safety having to leave behind their home.
- Pa’s refusal to join the violent movement reflects the resistance of colonial ideological choosing peice and love over inherited hatred and fear
- The family are burdened by anxiety and instability due to the long history that they have inherited which highlights the effects of living there
- The postcolonial dynamic of choosing a side to prove their loyality. Pa refuses this which shows the rejection of colonial ideologies that have been inherited
2
Q
Feminism =
A
- Representations of women and the emotional labour
- Ma is the emotional anchor of the family during a time of crisis as Pa is often asbent
- She makes critical decisions about her family’s future and has placed herself in danger on multiple occasions to highlight how she is brave and wants the best for her children. The troubles beginning and the looting
- She is protective of her children and her strength comes from her love. Ma represents the overlooked heroism of women in war-torn societies
- Ma makes key decisions and asserts her view which is prominent when deciding to emigrate out of Belfast
- Ma subverts traditional roles which place men as heroes, Pa is a hero in the physical sense protecting them from Billy yet ultimately Ma continuously protects her children from violence and decides to leave
- Ma is not helpless but a protector as she drags Buddy away from the riot, her courage is pragmatic to save her children and stand up to the threats
- Furthermore, Granny offers a form of strength as she offers comfort and stays behind as her family leave her which she must be strong to do
- Pa’s defiance and discomfort with the violence shows how pressure from other men functions and how it can be resisted
