Britishness

Kureishi’s own diasporic identity, having a mixed lineage−his father’s family in Madras initially moved to Pakistan after the Partition of India in 1947 and later his father moved to Britain, married a British woman Audrey and settled in Bromley where Kureishi was born, informs, the identity of many of his characters in his work My Beautiful Laundrette, as their identities as not fixed or stable but in a constant flux or transition. Also, just like the British Empire is multi-cultural/plural and a cosmopolitan nation, similarly the British identity is not something exclusive or singular but rather “hybrid”. This concept is reflected in Kureishi’s work as he attempts to create characters through whom he tries to do away with the “Britishness” and the “Asianess” but rather focuses on the lived experiences of the British Asians. This further extends to his claiming himself to be a part of the British league and indicates that his Asian lineage in no way makes him any less a British writer. Post Colonial Theory is related to the economic, political, emotional and cultural effects that people from erstwhile colonies experience as a result of their former colonization. It is closely tied to Edward Said’s concept of “Orientalism”, which is the artificial distinction that has been created between the “East” and the “West” (where the “East” traditionally referred to the Middle East but gradually extended to include Asia, Africa and Latin America), and thus, becomes…

vulnerable and less able to be protected by the royal navy (GELBER 89). This saw Australia cultivate their relationship with the United States further, which only added to the decline of the importance of 'Britishness ' (89). Additionally, the 1940s saw another significant event which further changed the relationship between Australia and Britain. Specifically, the 'Nationality and Citizenship Act ' came into effect, creating the concept of Australian citizenship (WIMNORNE 2-3). Thus the early…

(Ward 49-50) A set of national characteristics as well as a representation of Britishness that embraced parliamentarism, gradualism, liberty and the countryside was established. (Ward 50) Although the Second World War had made scientific racism indefensible, the population was still divided along racial lines after 1945. (Ward 124) Moreover, there was a racialisation in the concept of British national identity. (Ward 50) In 1947, Sir Ernest Baker came up with the idea of the English gentleman…

is a certain status quo that must be maintained in societal circles. This disguise, in reality, was maintained in a number of ways the most easily recognizable was the title of ‘Britishness’ which labeled a given individual who precise qualities of the country. It is defined in the Cambridge English dictionary as “the fact of being British, or qualities that are considered typical of British people”. The name suggests pride and purpose yet the Britishness as stated this according to the book At…

1.) Castlebridge has established the value of the brand on it’s British heritage in Yorkshire and by moving their production to Malaysia, ‘Britishness’ of the product is at risk, and brand image is jeopardized. Yorkshire Plant closure will result in 270 jobs being lost, and the remaining staff of Castlebridge are predicted to be anxious about job security, direction and organization of the company. Media spotlight on Castlebridge has escalated, and loyalty of brand has been questioned. The…

missiles and other technological advancements. These changes produce the ambiguity and sneakiness required for effective propaganda. Another idea propagated is from the obvious deviation between the books and the films: Bond’s lack of technical Britishness. This deviation, although could be written off as just the best choice of actor, despite not fitting the role, is likely an attempt to include what was left of the empire into the concept of britishness and international power. Bond was…

Since the 1970s, the impact of colonialism and post-colonialism on Britain's cultural identity and its current influence on the country is one of the most beloved topic for contemporary British authors. Zadie Smith is not an exception. In White Teeth, we discover the lives of diverse characters, all sharing this non-Britishness in a cosmopolitan London. From the very beginning, this novel deals with multiculturalism. However, one can wonder if White Teeth is more a novel about multicultural…

and without history or culture to justify Anglo-Canadian hegemony and racism by focusing almost exclusively on what Aboriginal cultures “lacked” in relation to a sense of European superiority. The pervasive theme of European superiority over Aboriginal cultures was present through depictions of war, the treatment of European settlers and Jesuit missionaries, the history of the Métis and the Red River insurrection (1869-1870), The North-West Rebellion (1885), and trial of Louis Riel. Francis…

They also emphasise the difference between the British World and the Empire; it being a more ‘fluid’ concept, and arguing that ‘Britishness’ continued in these settlements after the demise of the Empire. They increase validity to their claims with the existence of British Communities in South America and Shanghai, as well as describing the USA as being ‘honorary’ British during the World Wars. The authors’ intentions are to promote study into this ‘relatively new’ area of study, and therefore…

roles and responsibilities that they have taken on to themselves. Thorps demonstrates this devotion to duty, and thus Britishness, in her willingness to remain in danger within occupied Germany in order to fulfil her role as the governess of the children she is responsible for. Along with this responsibility to the country and to keeping one’s obligations, Mary seems to also view helping those in need as a responsibility of those who have the ability to do so. This view is expressed in many ways…