This essay discusses Pat Barkers book "Union Street" and Shane Meadows’ movie "This is England" from a political point of view in the period after the end of World War 2, when England was declining, in the process of de-industrialization, which had a profound impact on people accustomed and trained to that way of life.
Despite the fact that even after two world wars England was still the strongest European military and economical force, there were major changes that affected its status as a super power. After the end of WW2, England was declining, in the process of deindustrialization, which had a profound impact on people accustomed and trained to that way of life. In addition to unemployment and strikes, the rise of inflation was a major factor to people feeling poorly compensated for their hard work.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Thatcher's England: Dereliction and the need for change as depicted in Pat Barker's Union Street and Shane Meadows' "This is England"
- The Rise of Thatcher and its Impact on England
- Pat Barker's Union Street: A Chronicle of Survival and Change
- Loss of Manhood and Broken Homes
- The Derelict Home: A Symbol of Social Breakdown
- Kelly's Journey: Searching for Love and Security
- Muriel's Home: A Place of Loss and Sickness
- Iris's Home: A Sanctuary of Order and Cleanliness
- Alice Bell's Loss of Dignity and Home
- Shane Meadows' "This is England": Skinheads and Social Upheaval
- The Evolution of the Skinhead Subculture
- The Skinheads in "This is England": A Portrayal of Rage and Change
- Male Rage and the Absence of Father Figures
- The Impact of Male Absence on Families and Society
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work examines the depiction of social and political upheaval in Thatcher's England, as portrayed through Pat Barker's novel "Union Street" and Shane Meadows' film "This is England". It explores how both works capture the sense of decline and the need for change in a society grappling with economic hardship, political instability, and cultural transformation.
- Social and political decline in Thatcher's England
- The impact of deindustrialization and unemployment on working-class communities
- The changing roles of men and women in a society undergoing transformation
- The emergence of subcultures and the expression of social anxieties
- The significance of home and its role in individual and social identity
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The Rise of Thatcher and its Impact on England: This chapter examines the political and social context of Thatcher's England, highlighting the economic decline, social unrest, and the rise of a new political order.
- Pat Barker's Union Street: A Chronicle of Survival and Change: This chapter introduces Pat Barker's novel "Union Street" and its depiction of working-class women navigating a challenging and rapidly changing society. It highlights the themes of survival, change, and the breakdown of traditional social structures.
- Shane Meadows' "This is England": Skinheads and Social Upheaval: This chapter focuses on Shane Meadows' film "This is England," exploring the emergence of the Skinhead subculture and its transformation from a youth-oriented music and fashion movement to a more politically charged and often violent group. It examines how the film captures the social and political anxieties of the era.
- The Evolution of the Skinhead Subculture: This chapter delves into the history of the Skinhead subculture, tracing its evolution from its roots in the 1960s to its reemergence in the 1980s and its association with political extremism and violence.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This work explores key themes such as deindustrialization, unemployment, social decline, political upheaval, gender roles, subcultures, social anxiety, identity, home, and the impact of societal change on individual lives. It analyzes specific works by Pat Barker and Shane Meadows, focusing on their representations of Thatcher's England and its impact on working-class communities.
- Quote paper
- Elena Agathokleous (Author), 2018, The England of the 70s and 80s. An Analysis of Pat Barker's Book "Union Street" and Shane Meadows' Movie "This Is England", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1007702