G.B. Shaw's Citizens of The World in John Bull's Other Island

Yıl 2013, Cilt: 11 Sayı: 2, 3 - 27, 01.06.2013

Yrd. Doç. Dr. Atalay Gündüz

Öz

Although the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) has been known as an internationalist due to his Fabian socialism, his Irish play John Bull’s Other Island (JBOI) (1904) firmly links Shaw to a significant tension in Irish literature: cosmopolitanism versus nationalist parochialism. In contrast to parochial characters such as Father Dempsey, Matthew Haffigan and Corney Doyle; Larry Doyle and Keegan are cosmopolitan characters. The parochialism of the first group consists of their strong Irish nationalism; their limited knowledge of the world which make them prejudiced and bigoted towards other cultures and peoples; and their indifference to the rest of the world. On the other hand, Keegan and Larry have both seen the world outside Ireland and formed a “cultivated detachment from restrictive forms of identity”. Keegan does not only reject the restrictiveness of the national “Irish” identity embracing all humanity, he even detaches himself from the human identity but embraces all living things and nature as his fellow creatures. In a similar line Larry Doyle detaches himself from Irish nationalism or the landed class that his family belong to. Instead he promotes an Ireland which is totally open to the world. Secondly, both Keegan and Doyle share a “broad understanding of other cultures and customs”. Keegan is the only Roscullen resident who can see through English Broadbent’s land development project. Doyle, on the other hand, has a rather balanced understanding of the English culture. He admires certain aspects of the English character while criticizing some of these aspects severely. Both characters exhibit a firm “belief in universal humanity”. Keegan tries to learn from all religions and creeds. This openness and understanding cost him his frock. Doyle gets on better with non-Irish friends rather than his countrymen. Although Keegan and Larry seem to be social outcasts, they still say the last word at the end of the play.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Modern Irish Literature, George Bernard Shaw, cosmopolitanism, John Bull’s Other Island, Peter Keegan, Larry Doyle

G.B. Shaw's Citizens of The World in John Bull's Other Island

Öz

İrlandalı oyun yazarı George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) bir Fabian Sosyalist olarak enternasyonalist kimliğiyle bilinir. Oysa Shaw’un İrlandayı konu alan ilk oyunu John Bull’s Other Island (1904) modern İrlanda edebiyatının en önemli konularından biri olan kozmopolitanizm ve dar kafalı milliyetçilik gerginliğiyle de yakından ilgili olduğunun bir kanıtıdır. Dempsey, Haffigan ve Cornelius gibi dar görüşlü karakterlerin karşısında; Larry Doyle ve Keegan dünya vatandaşı kimliği taşıyan karakterlerdir. İlk grubun dar görüşlülüğünü oluşturan öğeler olarak, güçlü İrlanda milliyetçiliğini, dünya hakkında sınırlı bilgilerini ve İrlanda dışında yaşayan halklara, başka toplum ve kültürlere karşı olan ilgisizliklerini ve ön yargılı değerlendirmelerini sayabiliriz. Öte yandan, hem Keegan hem de Larry İrlanda dışındaki geniş dünya hakkında da ilk elden bilgi sahibidirler. Bu sayede de “kimliklerin kısıtlayıcı şekillerinden bilinçli bir bağımsızlık” kazanmışlardır. Keegan kendini yanızca ulusal aidiyetlerden değil, insani aidiyetten de soyutlamış ve tüm canlılarla ve doğayla kendini kardeş görmeye başlamıştır. Larry de İrlanda milliyetçiliğini ve ailesinin ait olduğu topraklı sınıfın bir parçası olmayı reddederek, tüm dünyaya açık bir İrlanda kurma özlemi içindedir. Ayrıca, hem Kegan hem de Larry “diğer kültürler ve adetler hakkında geniş bir anlayış ve hoşgörü” sahibidirler. En önemlisi de “evrensel insanlığa” inanmaktadırlar. Bu bağımsız duruşları ve ayrıksı düşünceleri Larry Doyle ve Keegan’ın Roscullen toplumundan dışlanmasına ve marjinalize olmalarına sebep olur. Yine de oyunun sonunda son sözü söyleyen dar görüşlü milliyetçiler değil kozmopolitanlardır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Modern İrlanda Edebiyatı, George Bernard Shaw, kozmopolitanizm, John Bull'un Diğer Adası, Peter Keegan, Larry Doyle

Kaynakça

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