What is ‘Englishness’ and how can it be distinguished from ‘Britishness’? Why do we need these national identity concepts and why do they pose a problem? The purpose of this essay is to discuss these questions by means of a careful analysis of two selected books: Julian Barnes’ England, England and Andrea Levy’s Small Island. While both novels deal with the concept of ‘Englishness’, they do so in different ways. While Barnes exposes the constructedness of collective identities like ‘Englishness’, Levy reveals its excluding function and the paradoxes between ‘Englishness’ and ‘Britishness’ from the perspectives of Jamaican ‘Windrush’-migrants.

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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

Introduction
'Englishness' as a Problem
- 'Englishness' as a construct in Barnes' England, England
- 'Englishness' as an excluding concept in Levy's Small Island
Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay aims to explore the concept of 'Englishness' and its distinction from 'Britishness', examining why these national identity concepts are relevant and the problems they present. It analyzes two novels: Julian Barnes' *England, England* and Andrea Levy's *Small Island*, focusing on their portrayal of 'Englishness' and the complex relationship between identity construction, historical narratives, and national belonging.

The constructedness of identity, both individual and collective
The role of history and memory in shaping identity
The use of symbols and national emblems in constructing collective identities
The exploitation of national identity for commercial and political purposes
The exclusionary nature of 'Englishness' and its implications for minority groups

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Introduction

This chapter introduces the essay's focus on the concept of 'Englishness' and its complexities. It sets the context for the analysis of *England, England* and *Small Island*, highlighting the different ways in which both novels explore the construction and function of 'Englishness'.