Nationalism and Welsh writing in comparative contexts, 1925-1966
[Thesis]
Jones, Elidir
Cardiff University
2011
Ph.D.
Cardiff University
2011
This thesis focuses on Welsh writing in English of the mid-twentieth century, examining it comparatively alongside Welsh-language writing, as well as some examples of contemporary work from Ireland and Scotland. It takes 1925 as its starting point, the year in which Plaid (Genedlaethol) Cymru was founded, and ends in 1966, when Gwynfor Evans became its first Member of Parliament, essentially legitimizing it as a mainstream political party. It is argued, with particular reference to the roughly similar position of Scottish Nationalism and writing at this time, and the effect that the foundation of the Irish Free State had on Irish writing, that during this transitional period in which Welsh Nationalism was not represented in Parliament, Nationalism was expressed most prominently in literature. It is concluded, through a thematic survey which incorporates writers from a range of ideological positions, that writers not usually considered to be supportive of Nationalism, and occasionally thought of as hostile towards it, actually express ideas which are broadly sympathetic to the Nationalist cause, and that expressions of sympathy with Nationalism are far stronger and more numerous in Welsh writing in English during this period than has previously been accepted.