Comparing English/Irish

LiteratureShannon, Madalyn, Ashley, Robin, Rachael

The Last SeptemberBy Elizabeth Bowen

How does plot affect The Last September?

Elizabeth Bowen created The Last September with a plot much slower in development than most novels, leading to a deeper character development. This character development allows for a reader’s attachment to the characters’ lives and feelings, essential in this novel’s resolution.

The war between the Irish and English is crucial to this plot, but instead of taking the forefront, it fades to the background of the characters’ lives and interactions.

• “His duty, so bright and abstract, had come suddenly under the shadowy claw of the personal.” (Bowen, 131)

• “Will there ever be anything we can all do except not notice?” (Bowen, 117)

• Gerald, a soldier, suddenly realizes his duty to find and kill Irish rebels matters after he’s already befriended these other Irishmen who are close to them.

• Miss Norton, representative of the rest of the characters, is just trying to go about her life “not noticing” the war that is all around them.

An intimacy with the characters’ lives leads to a more emotional ending to the novel.

• “ ‘And tell me; how’s Lois?’ ‘Oh gone, you know.’‘Gone? Oh, the school of art!’‘Oh no,’ said Lady Naylor, surprised, ‘Tours. For her French, you know.’” (Bowen, 300)

• Always reserved, sometimes even ignored, the reader can really appreciate the fact that the novel ends with Lois branching out and finding happiness despite all the events during her time at Danielstown.

TranslationsBy Brian Friel

How does plot affect Translations?

The plot of translations basically centers around the role of language. The characters’ perspectives on this issue affects their relationships with each other and ultimately the open and ambiguous ending of the play.

Language plays a key role in the plot of Translations.

• “English, I suggested, couldn’t really express us.” (Friel, 23)

• “He said the sooner we learn to speak English the better… ‘The old language is a barrier to modern progress.’” (Friel, 24-25)

• Hugh’s response to being asked why English was not taught in schools was a perfect way to state the importance of a language to a people, especially the Irish people.

• The English opinion that English was better caused a divide not only between Irish and English, but also between Irish that agreed with this and those that didn’t.

Map of Ireland, with Town

NamesThe English sappers in this play

were coming into Ireland, into the places these people lived, and

giving them completely different names. “Distinctive Irish name[s]” were being Anglicised, against the

wishes of the inhabitants.

[Untitled map of Ireland]. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2014 from http://bats.soc.srcf.net/view_show.php?id=1

Character Perspectives

• “I want to be able to speak English because I’m going to America as soon as the harvest’s all saved.” (Friel, 25)

• “My job is to translate the quaint, archaic tongue you people persist in speaking into the King’s good English.” (Friel, 30)

• “ ‘What’s “incorrect” about the place-names we have here?’” (Friel, 36)

• Maire’s desire to learn English influences her relationship with both Manus and Yolland.

• Owen’s job as the translator, and his willingness and eagerness to do so creates a rift between him and other characters.

• Manus’s disdain at the name changes comes between him and Owen and him and Maire, leading to some sort of disagreement and his disappearance.

Character Perspectives

• “English succeeds in making it sound… plebian.” (Friel, 49)

• “But I’m concerned about my part in it. It’s an eviction of sorts… Something is being eroded.” (Friel, 52-53)

• Hugh’s opinion on the English language demonstrates his Irish nationalism despite his knowledge of and willingness to teach English.

• Yolland begins to doubt his role as place-name changer as he discovers the beauty of Ireland, Maire especially.

An ambiguous ending…

• “Very good, Sarah Johnny Sally. There’s nothing to stop you now – nothing in the wide world.” (Friel, 72)

• “Take care Owen. To remember everything is a form of madness.” (Friel, 88)

• Manus is leaving due to a circumstance unbeknownst to the reader, yet he still encourages his student one last time.

• Much like this ending, Hugh reminds his son that everything is a bit mad. We may not know what exactly has happened to Yolland, but we know each character has gone their own way and still has conflicts to resolve.