Cultural Memory in Seamus Heaney's Late Work

Cultural Memory in Seamus Heaney's Late Work considers the ways that memory functions in Heaney's poetry. Joanne Piavanini argues that the shaping of collective memory is one of Heaney's major contributions as a poet. Locating Heaney in a transnational literary sphere, this book argues that his late work isdefined by a type of cosmopolitanism openness: the work moves beyond national identity to explore multiple allegiances and identifications. Moreover, Piavanini demonstrates that memory is a helpful lens to look at Heaney's late work, in particular, because of the interplay of past, present and future in these works: in the construction of a collective memory of the Troubles; in the use of the elegy to commemorate the passing of important contemporary poets; in his writing on events with transnational significance, such as 9/11; in the slippages between past and present in poems about his family; and through the literary afterlives of textsspecifically, his appropriation of canonical classical texts. Drawing on approaches and concepts from memory studies, Piavanini considers Heaney's late work to develop an analysis of poetry as a vehicle of memory.

Draws on concepts and approaches from memory studies to develop an analysis of Heaney's late work Considers the significance of translation and adaptation Examines what it means to be a public poet and the impact Heaney had in the transnational literary sphere Draws on emerging trends in Heaney scholarship

Autorentext

Joanne Piavanini is an English teacher and independent researcher based in Melbourne, Australia. She completed her PhD at the Australian National University.

Klappentext

Cultural Memory in Seamus Heaney s Late Work considers the ways that memory functions in Heaney s poetry. Joanne Piavanini argues that the shaping of collective memory is one of Heaney s major contributions as a poet. Locating Heaney in a transnational literary sphere, this book argues that his late work isdefined by a type of cosmopolitanism openness: the work moves beyond national identity to explore multiple allegiances and identifications. Moreover, Piavanini demonstrates that memory is a helpful lens to look at Heaney s late work, in particular, because of the interplay of past, present and future in these works: in the construction of a collective memory of the Troubles; in the use of the elegy to commemorate the passing of important contemporary poets; in his writing on events with transnational significance, such as 9/11; in the slippages between past and present in poems about his family; and through the literary afterlives of texts specifically, his appropriation of canonical classical texts. Drawing on approaches and concepts from memory studies, Piavanini considers Heaney s late work to develop an analysis of poetry as a vehicle of memory.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Chapter 1 Memory and Complicity in The Spirit Level and Beowulf.- Chapter 2 When the National Frame of Memory is Insufficient: The Burial At Thebes.- Chapter 3 Elegies for Poets: Breaking Bread with the Dead.- Chapter 4 Transnational Memory in District and Circle.- Chapter 5 Family Memory in Human Chain and Aeneid VI.- Coda Remembering Heaney: Nationalist or Portable Monuments.