Abstracts Category : Other

"A Zigzag of Contradictions": Manifestations of Duality in Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped, Lewis Grassic Gibbon's Sunset Song and Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting

by Sigfsdttir 1992 Teresa

A common theme in the discussion and analysis of Scottish literature is the concept of duality. Duality as a theme is the depiction of two opposing forces, such as good and evil,romantic and realistic, or Highlands and Lowlands. Duality can be found in many Scottish works, from fiction published in the early nineteenth century to works produced in the twenty-first century. This thesis explores the manifestations of duality and its evolution, connecting together the depiction of the theme and the developments over time in the social, political, and economic climate in Scotland. To gain a better understanding of the manifestations of duality in Scottish literature, a brief overview of notable Scottish works dealing with the theme of duality is provided, Scotlands history following the Union of the Crowns surveyed, and postcolonial theory briefly explored. To explore the evolution of duality, three renowned works of Scottish fiction are scrutinized and the theme emphasized.These works are Robert Louis Stevensons Kidnapped (1886), Lewis Grassic Gibbons Sunset Song (1932), and Irvine Welshs Trainspotting (1993). In addition to the novels being discussed, the authors backgrounds, and the political and social climate at the time of writing these works are brought to light in an effort to illuminate the development and importance of duality in Scottish fiction. Finally, the ways in which the treatment of duality in Scottish fiction has evolved is discussed and the three novels are compared. Overall, the thesis provides an overview of how different manifestations of duality are explored in texts from different time periods, analyzing how the authors treatment of duality reflects elements of Scotlands history as well as other elements of Scottish society and culture, such as the relationship between Scotland and England, the relationship between the Highlands and Lowlands, and the choice between Scots and English.