Criticism of Bryson’s novels is not advanced but his narratives can be investigated in terms of genre, intertextuality, language, and nationality. This paper expands on the topic of Bryson’s view both of Great Britain and the United States of America by means of national stereotyping as it emerges from his novels Notes from a Small Island (1995) and Notes from a Big Country (1998). I maintain that Bryson depicts Britain and America in an authentic and educative as well as hilarious and exaggerated manner to emphasize differences between the nations in question. I will prove my thesis that Bryson both criticises and praises British and American values which affect the national character. Bryson conveys his national views both from the perspective of an insider and outsider.
William “Bill” McGuire Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. In 1973, he travelled to England where he became acquainted with his wife, Cynthia Billen, with whom he has four children. Bryson lived in Yorkshire, returned to America to graduate in 1995, and resided with his family in Norfolk, in 2003. While in America Bryson is well-known for elaborating on the English language, he accomplished bestseller standing with travelogues in Great Britain. Although he claims not to be a travel writer because he “stumbled into this genre”, Bryson composes “books on travel and the English language” in which his
“wanderlust and eccentricity” promise a unique reading adventure (Oder 191).
Travel writing is a neglected but miscellaneous genre of ancient times which flourished in the sixteenth century and encompasses narratives of expansionism, such as
encyclopaedic accounts of foreign nations, and became the principal negotiator of propagating stereotypes in colonial novels. While Bryson’s journey novel Notes from a Small Island
depicts the Great Britain he adores, he grudgingly wrote columns about America which resulted in his journalistic novel Notes from a Big Country.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. National Stereotypes in Anglo-American Fiction
3. Bill Bryson’s View Both of Great Britain and the United States of America by Means of National Stereotyping in Notes from a Small Island and Notes from a Big Country
3.1. Bryson’s View of Great Britain in Notes from a Small Island
3.2. Bryson’s View of the United States of America in Notes from a Big Country
4. A Comparative Enquiry of Bryson’s Views of Britain and America
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper investigates the representation of national identity and stereotypes in Bill Bryson’s travel narratives Notes from a Small Island and Notes from a Big Country. The primary objective is to analyze how the author utilizes stereotypes from both an insider and outsider perspective to criticize and praise British and American values, thereby emphasizing the cultural differences between the two nations.
- The historical development and function of national stereotypes in literature.
- Bryson’s portrayal of British culture, history, and social etiquette.
- Bryson’s critique of American consumerism, social habits, and the "American Dream."
- A comparative analysis of the author’s perspectives on Anglo-American relations.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Bryson’s View of Great Britain in Notes from a Small Island
In Notes from a Small Island, Bryson intends to give “[…] one last look at Britain – a kind of valedictory tour round the green and kindly island that had so long been [his] home” to scrutinize “the nation’s public face and private parts” before returning to America “to give the kids the chance of experiencing life in another country and [his] wife the chance to shop until 10 p.m. […]”.17 To portray his view of Great Britain, Bryson, who sympathizes with the “battered British psyche” (Oder 192), uses national stereotypes from the perspective of the American tourist because the British tend to regard their nation as a “‘foreign country’” through a voyeuristic perspective (Condor, ed. Barfoot 237).
For he writes in the domain of travel writing through reflecting his own journey, he fairly gives an autobiographical sketch about his life in England, such as journalistic work and learning about Cynthia (Bryson Island cf. 48; ch. 2; 79-83; ch. 5; 205; ch. 17). The narration is written in the first-person that is the “autodiegetic narrator” for “the subjective presentations” of Britain by the omnipresent narrator.18 Although Bryson gets to know England “through the eyes of the insane”, which is “a particularly useful grounding for life in Britain” (Bryson 78; ch. 5), he gives a suitable impression of what it is like to travel through Britain. He criticises British public transport, for “if you travel much by public transport in Britain these days you […] feel like a member of some unwanted sub-class […]” (253; ch. 20). But, generally, “you […] have an excellent train service” (323; ch. 27).
Summary of Chapters
1. Abstract: Provides an overview of the research scope, focusing on how Bryson’s narratives serve as a platform for investigating national stereotypes and cultural identity.
2. National Stereotypes in Anglo-American Fiction: Explores the historical context and literary significance of national stereotypes as mechanisms for defining group identity.
3. Bill Bryson’s View Both of Great Britain and the United States of America by Means of National Stereotyping in Notes from a Small Island and Notes from a Big Country: Analyzes the specific techniques Bryson uses to document his observations of both nations.
3.1. Bryson’s View of Great Britain in Notes from a Small Island: Examines Bryson’s humorous and critical observations of British daily life, social etiquette, and tradition.
3.2. Bryson’s View of the United States of America in Notes from a Big Country: Focuses on Bryson’s critique of American consumerism, car culture, and the socio-political challenges faced in the modern United States.
4. A Comparative Enquiry of Bryson’s Views of Britain and America: Offers a synthesis of the observed differences, highlighting the "clash" between the two transatlantic cultures.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, asserting that Bryson’s work captures the evolving nature of national identity in the face of globalization.
Keywords
Bill Bryson, National Stereotypes, Anglo-American Relations, Travel Writing, Cultural Identity, Notes from a Small Island, Notes from a Big Country, Imagology, Consumerism, Britishness, Americanisation, Social Customs, Literature, Transatlantic Perspectives, Tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how Bill Bryson utilizes national stereotypes in his travel books to portray and compare the cultural characteristics of Great Britain and the United States.
What are the central themes explored?
Central themes include the impact of national stereotypes on identity, the influence of consumerism, the role of humor in national character, and the differences in social etiquette between the two nations.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The goal is to prove that Bryson’s narrative perspective—as both an insider and an outsider—effectively critiques and praises the values of both nations, highlighting their distinct yet interconnected identities.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper employs a literary and comparative analysis, focusing on imagological studies and the examination of intertextual references within Bryson’s travelogues.
What does the main body address?
It provides a detailed analysis of Notes from a Small Island regarding Britain and Notes from a Big Country regarding the United States, followed by a direct comparative inquiry of the author’s findings.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Bill Bryson, national stereotypes, cultural identity, travel writing, Anglo-American relations, and social critique.
How does Bryson perceive the difference between British and American attitudes toward daily life?
Bryson highlights that the British are often portrayed as having a "small-scale" and moderate view of life, characterized by humor and good manners, whereas Americans are depicted as materialistic, optimistic, and prone to extreme convenience and consumerism.
What role does the "American Dream" play in Bryson’s critique?
Bryson suggests that the American Dream has evolved into a disillusioning experience dominated by consumerism, obesity, and social discrepancies, often failing to meet the foundational promises of the U.S. Constitution.
- Citation du texte
- Oliver Baum, M.A. (Auteur), 2007, Bill Bryson´s View of Great Britain and the USA in "Notes from a Small Island" and "Notes from a Big Country", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/123533
