This thesis is meant to illustrate and discover Scotland within contemporary poems and songs, and show how Scotland is portrayed today. There can not be a holistic view on Scottish poetry and music. Every day artists contribute to this vibrant art scene. The poems and songs in this thesis can therefore only be a tiny part of what is literature and music in Scotland. They are a small piece in a puzzle which is too big and ever-changing to be fully completed.
Scotland's current situation - politically, socioculturally, and geographically - is taken into consideration. A more detailed analysis of contemporary poems and songs will be provided thereafter. The thesis is based on personal interviews and emails with Scottish artists as well as scientific research. It is the result of personal reflection and intepretation from an outside perspective on artistic endeavour from Scotland.
Table of Contents
A. Intro - "What is the Nation? Who is the Nation?"
B. Scottish Identity in Contemporary Pop Music and Poetry
B.1. "This is my House, this is my Home" - Scotland and the Scottish in the 21st Century
B.2. "Waverley Steps" - The Evolution of Music and Poetry
B.3. "Protect and Survive" - Traditional Scottish Music today
B.4. "Who's got a Match?" - Devolution and Economy during the Thatcher years and thereafter
B.4.1. Scotland the Brave?
B.5. "Say this to the quick stream: I am" - Identity and Scotland
B.6. "Cap in Hand"- Politics, Poetry and Music
B.7. "Why do Songs have Words?" - Contemporary Pop Music
B.7.1. Pop Music in Scotland
B.8. Muir/MacDiarmid/Morgan - The Evolution of Scottish 20th Century Poetry
B.9. "Throw the 'R' away" - Language and Dialect
B.10. "The Modern Leper" - Existence, Loneliness, Alienation, Home
B.11. "I came in from the Mountain - City vs. Countryside
B.11.1. "The Glesga that I used to know"
B.11.2. "Taste the Coast"
B.12. "Why does it always rain on me?" - Scottish Weather
B.13. The State of the Nation - The Poetry of Douglas Dunn and Kathleen Jamie
B.14. Please explain your Poetry
B.15. "Ballads of the Book" - The Collaboration of Music and Poetry
C. Outro - "Scottish Winds"
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines the intersection of Scottish identity and contemporary artistic expression, specifically focusing on how modern pop music and poetry reflect the socio-political and cultural landscape of Scotland in the 21st century. It investigates how artists negotiate the notions of devolution, nationhood, and personal identity within their creative works.
- The relationship between Scottish national identity and political history.
- The evolution of Scottish poetry and its engagement with tradition.
- The influence of the urban-rural divide on artistic representation.
- The role of contemporary pop music as a medium for social and cultural commentary.
- The collaboration between musical and literary genres in defining "Scottishness."
Excerpt from the Book
B.4. "WHO'S GOT A MATCH?"
Scotland has, for centuries, been politically dependent on England, but has always maintained certain traits which define Scottish culture, separating and distinguishing the Scottish from the rest of the United Kingdom. The controversy of a nation with its own traditions, languages and customs, which is at the same time politically and economically dependent on another country, can also be spotted in the attitude of Scots towards the English and vice versa.
Scotland has to break out of this straitjacket and speak to the world with its authentic voice. For this to happen we need more mature relationship with the English. It is true, no matter how unpalatable it is to some, that as Scotland has become more Scottish, it has also become more anti-English (Hassan 2002, 94-96).
This is an interesting point of writer Gerry Hassan and it shows that Scotland has to be aware that promoting Scottish independence may have the side effect of a growing anti-English atmosphere among the Scots or similar feelings of the English towards the Scottish.
Chapter Summaries
A. Intro - "What is the Nation? Who is the Nation?": Explores the shifting political landscape in Scotland leading up to the 2014 referendum and the role of cultural figures like Robert Burns in shaping national sentiment.
B. Scottish Identity in Contemporary Pop Music and Poetry: Investigates the core thematic elements of Scottish art, analyzing how contemporary musicians and poets interpret their heritage, geography, and political state.
C. Outro - "Scottish Winds": Concludes the thesis by reflecting on the persistent quest for a definitive Scottish identity within art and the potential impact of future political changes on this creative discourse.
Keywords
Scotland, Scottish Identity, Contemporary Poetry, Pop Music, Devolution, Independence, Cultural Representation, National Identity, Scottish Literature, Social Commentary, Dialect, Urbanization, Robert Burns, Politics, Artistic Expression
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic work?
This thesis explores the construction and representation of Scottish identity within contemporary literature and popular music, analyzing how these art forms engage with Scotland’s unique socio-political context.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The work covers themes such as political devolution, the influence of the Scottish landscape, linguistic heritage, urban-rural tensions, and the ongoing dialogue between historical tradition and modern artistic expression.
What is the main research question?
The primary inquiry seeks to understand how contemporary Scottish poets and musicians articulate their national identity and how this expression relates to Scotland's evolving political status within the United Kingdom.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative literary and cultural studies approach, combining textual analysis of poems and song lyrics with contextual research on Scottish history and interviews with contemporary artists.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main chapters provide a comparative analysis of poems and songs, looking at specific motifs such as Scottish weather, urban versus rural life, the use of dialect, and the specific contributions of notable Scottish artists.
Which keywords define the research?
The research is characterized by terms such as Scottish Identity, Devolution, Contemporary Poetry, Pop Music, and Cultural Representation.
How does the work address the influence of Robert Burns?
The author highlights how Burns remains a central figure in Scottish culture, serving as a point of reference for political figures and artists alike, embodying the country's national and poetic identity.
What significance is attributed to the Glasgow music scene?
Glasgow is identified as a crucial cultural hub, fostering a vibrant music community that has successfully used local identity, accents, and urban realities to gain both national and international recognition.
- Citar trabajo
- Sebastian Inderst (Autor), 2012, "Down the Forth, into the sea". Scottish Identity in Contemporary Pop Music and Poetry, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/207172
