A Study Of Historical And Political Writing In The Early Novels Of Colm Tobin

Colm Tóibín is one of the representative writers of contemporary Irish literary circles.Looking at Tóibín's novel writing,it is not difficult to find that he has always been interested in the narrative of history and politics.This kind of interest stems from multiple factors: Ireland's complex sociohistorical and political environment has provided him with fertile soil of writing,the academic training of the History Department of the University of Dublin has cultivated his deep insight and critical thinking,the marginal identities of atheist and homosexuality gave him a unique life experience and creative perspective.Then,focusing on the four novels in the early days of Tóibín's writing career,The South,The Heather Blazing,The Story of the Night and The Blackwater Lightship,and taking the narrative of history and politics as the keyword,we could discover Tóibín's continuously exploration of history that is outside of Irish History.From the perspective of nationalism history,Tóibín is committed to revising the nationalist history constructed by the official discourse of the Irish government.By writing different memories and views on the Irish War of Independence,he reveals the way in which nationalist historical myths are constructed and inherited,presents the gaps in this seamless and fictional historical myth,and actively explores ways and methods to achieve reconciliation between the individual and history.From the perspective of the history of women and gay men,on the one hand,Tóibín has reshaped the history of women in Irish society.Starting from the survival predicament,spiritual predicament,and speech predicament,he comprehensively exposes Catholic oppression and patriarchal encirclement of women,and actively speaks for women.At the same time,he liberates women from the shackles of the past through writing,subverts the traditional image of Irish mothers,and creates a series of materially and spiritually independent female images in the new era.On the other hand,Tóibín also investigates the history of gay men.He reveals the helplessness of gay men to hide their true sexual orientation in their daily lives,writes about the embarrassing situation they have to face after being forced to “come out”,and analyzes the impact of AIDS on this hidden group.In addition,he also expresses his recognition and support for homosexual families by challenging the effectiveness of heterosexual families.So it can be said that Tóibín's early novels,heavily tinged by politics,fully reflect the heterogeneity and diversity of Irish history,and reflect Tóibín's strong sense of social responsibility as a writer,too.