An analysis of genesis of Mendelson's writing with particular focus on her British-Jewish background.
So far, the British-Jewish novelist Charlotte Mendelson has published four books, namely "Love in Idleness" (2001), "Daughters of Jerusalem" (2003), "When We Were Bad" (2007), and "Almost English" (2013), which could all be typified as intercultural coming-of-age novels. The main source of inspiration appears to be Mendelson’s own multi-ethnic background. – She was born in London in 1972 and grew up in St John’s College, Oxford, where her father taught public international law. But even though she is English-born and has a Cockney grandfather, Mendelson identifies herself as not in the least English since her paternal grandmother stemmed from “’Latvia and Poland’” (qtd. in Westbrook) and her maternal grandparents were “’Hungarian-speaking-Czech, Ruthenian for about 10 minutes [and also somewhat] Carpathian mountainy’” (qtd. in Edemariam) and came to England with “the last train out of Prague” (Mendelson) fleeing from the Nazis as Jewish refugees (cf. Mendelson).
Especially her maternal grandparents are a lasting inspiration for Mendelson. Her “’Hungarian side is the side [she] like[s] showing off the most’” (qtd. in Westbrook) and is repeatedly referred to in interviews. Her hybrid background “has enabled [Mendelson] to become an essentially diasporic writer” (Cheyette, Diaspora and Multiculturalism 54)
When reading Mendelson’s novels in chronological order, it seems as if her writing has undergone some development. Recurring topics and tropes, such as living in a supposedly “cryptic” family microcosm and the difficulties of finding one’s identity in circumstances that resemble “exile”, are condensed, deepened, and shaped into more complex versions.
Hence, her work seems to display a form of literary genesis with the latest publication, the Booker-nominated AE, the climax of Mendelson’s oeuvre so far. True to the notion that a Jewish writer is not necessarily one who charters the word ‘Jew’ in his writings, but the one for whom the word ‘Jew’ is contained in all the words of the dictionary” (Jabés qtd. in Brauner 185), Mendelson repeatedly uses themes which are very characteristic in Jewish writing, including problems in identity formation, feeling left out and suffering from unspoken truths about the experiences of ancestors (related to the Holocaust).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Charlotte Mendelson and the “Jewish Condition”
- Holocaust Aftermath: Starting Afresh in Great Britain
- Contemporary Jewish Identities in the UK: Charlotte Mendelson as a British-Jewish Subject and Novelist
- Dark Heart(s): Family Secrets and Hidden Selves in the Works of Charlotte Mendelson
- Family as a Potentially Problematic Microcosm and the Effect of Family Secrets on Individual (Younger) Members
- Almost English - Assimilation and Negotiation: Trying to Fit In
- Excursus: Engaging with Stereotypes (Based on the Example of Mendelson's Portrayal of Jewish/Jew-ish Mothers)
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to analyze the work of British-Jewish novelist Charlotte Mendelson with a focus on themes of family secrets and hidden selves, particularly in the context of navigating British-Jewish identity in post-Holocaust Britain. The paper explores how Mendelson's characters grapple with the legacy of the Holocaust, the complexities of assimilation, and the challenges of finding one's place within a society that often seeks to homogenize its citizens.- Family secrets and their impact on individuals
- Negotiating British-Jewish identity in a post-Holocaust context
- The challenges of assimilation and the struggle to find a sense of belonging
- The role of stereotypes in shaping perceptions of Jewish identity
- The exploration of cultural hybridity in Mendelson's work
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The introduction provides a brief overview of the topic, focusing on the underrepresentation of British-Jewish literature in academic discourse and the public sphere. It also establishes the significance of Charlotte Mendelson's work in representing contemporary British-Jewish experiences.
- This chapter delves into Charlotte Mendelson's personal and literary background, exploring her dual identity as a British-Jewish writer. The chapter also discusses the challenges faced by Jewish immigrants and their descendants in navigating British society and integrating into a culture that often resisted difference.
- This chapter examines the themes of family secrets and hidden selves in Mendelson's novels, analyzing how the complexities of family dynamics impact the lives and identities of individual characters. It explores how family secrets can serve as both burdens and catalysts for personal growth and self-discovery.
- This chapter focuses on the theme of assimilation in Mendelson's work, exploring the challenges and contradictions faced by characters trying to fit into a society that often seeks to homogenize its citizens. It examines how these characters negotiate their Jewish heritage with their experiences as British citizens.
- This chapter delves into the portrayal of Jewish mothers in Mendelson's work, analyzing how these characters are portrayed and how these portrayals contribute to broader understandings of Jewish identity. It examines the ways in which Mendelson engages with stereotypes and challenges conventional representations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores themes of British-Jewish identity, family secrets, hidden selves, assimilation, cultural hybridity, Holocaust legacy, and contemporary Jewish experiences in the UK. The analysis centers on the literary works of Charlotte Mendelson and her portrayal of complex and multi-layered characters who navigate these themes with nuance and sensitivity.- Quote paper
- B.A. Elisa Valerie Thieme (Author), 2015, "Dark Heart(s)". Family Secrets and Hidden Selves in the Work of Charlotte Mendelson, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/292809
