Whiteford, Eilidh MacLeod (1997) Political histories, politicised spaces: discourses of power in the fiction of Alasdair Gray. PhD thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2054/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Political Histories, Politicised Soaces: Discourses Power in Fiction Alasdair the of of GLay. Eilidh MacLeod Whiteford PhD Thesis University Glasgow of Department Scottish Literature of December 1997 0 Eilidh M. Whiteford, 1997. 1 Abstract. Critical Alasdair Gray's frequent his assessments of work make mention of literary his postmodern strategies and active engagement with political issues. However, Gray himself is he is to that quick refute claims a his books described postmodern writer, and, although are often as 'political', detailed has be kind Gray attention yet to paid to the of politics By key ideological in Alasdair espouses. examining strands a range of Gray's (including have little prose writings texts that attracted critical interest) by their tensions, and exploring central, sometimes unresolved, this thesis investigates the between literary relationship and political discourses in Gray's Attempting work. to chart the range and extent of Gray's issues engagement with contemporary of political and cultural debate, the five chapters of the thesis demonstrate that Gray's literary intimately techniques are connected to his thematic and political concerns. The thesis draws to Gray's on a range of critical approaches address feminist, work, using aspects of post-structuralist, and postcolonial theories. The first chapter examines autobiographical and semi- autobiographical texts by Gray, opening discussion about his approaches to historiography. It Gray's draw narrative construction and argues that texts ideological to their attention own narrative paradigms and underlying Gray's destabilization assumptions, and suggests that of conventional Western frameworks epistemological unsettles empirical conceptions of human identity, in subjectivity and challenging the terms which personal identities be The discussion Gray's and national can secured. of self- destabilization identity the conscious of categories of underlies questions in The highlights Gray's raised subsequent chapters. second chapter hegemonic discourses imperialism treatment of the of and capitalism. Focusing his fiction, the on polemical essays and short chapter examines literature in imperial Scotland's the the role of processes, complexities of imperial discourses, position within and explores questions of cultural agency and resistance. The third to the the chapter attempts unite political critique of first, by previous chapter with the epistemological troubling of the discussing Gray's three in the locale Glasgow. It novels set specific of that Gray's his argues presentations of native city rely not only on historiographical but the reconstruction, also on spatial perspectives; he is linked emphasis places on multiple perspectives and peripheral views to his The political critique of consumer capitalism. politics of representation remain central to the fourth chapter's discussions of three key ideological 'battlegrounds' in the post-war era: gender, warfare, and electronic media. The chapter tackles Gray's ambivalence towards issues of gendered power relations with reference to two novels. Chapter Five attempts to draw together the ideological strands discussed in in Gray's This final earlier chapters relation to two of novellas. identifies forms--as chapter power--in a myriad of the central concern of Gray's to discussion Gray's literary work, and returns of engagement with discourses. It that by locating in disparate argues power sites, subverting prevailing cultural value systems, and presenting critiques of capitalism, imperialism Gray's debates and patriarchy, work reframes about relations between by art and politics; positing alternative, provisional sources of it cultural authority, offers a radical political vision. 2 Table Contents. of Abstract I ............................................ Table Contents 2 of .................................... Acknowledgments & Declarations 3 .................... Introduction: Shades Gray 5 of .......................... Mapping Critical Territory 7 ....................... Firing Canon? 14 the ............................... Power Postmodernity 24 and ....................... Writing in Margins 34 the ........................... Chapter One: Personal Stories, Histories 48 'Political ......... Personal Experience National History 50 as ........... Personal Historical Agency in Lanark 67 and ........ Unverified Reports 83 ............................. Chapter Two: Re(in)stating Nation 96 the .................. Reconstituting Scottish History 97 ................... Over Border 112 the ............................... The Emperor's New Clothes 122 ..................... Chapter Three: Cultural Cartography 143 .................. Consuming the City 144 ........................... A City in State 156 a ............................... The Anatomy City 177 of a ......................... Chapter Four: Gender Wars 199 .......................... Man Out Time 201 of .............................. Why, Why, Why Delilah? 209 ....................... Games Without Frontiers 215 .............. ........ No More Heroes 225 ............................... Girls Film 231 on .................................. Chapter Five: Telling Tales 251 ........................... Plotting Resistance 254 ............................ Lost Boys Lonely Summits 262 on ................... Grotty Goings-on 277 .............................. Towards Conclusion a 302 ............................... Appendix: An Interview Alasdair Gray, 1994 306 with ...... References Select Bibliography and 323 .................... 3 Acknowledgements. John Keats long is invention. Had that test once said a poem a of he he have had thesis to written a might cause relativise and judgement. However, invention is lonely that revise never as a it is be. One I have task to as sometimes made out way or another, had lot help from in last the a of and assistance various people four is this to years and an appropriate moment acknowledge them. First, I like Dr. Carol Anderson for to thank would not only her intellectual but for exemplary supervision and stimulus, also tea, endless patience, cups of and generous encouragement when the tough. Mrs. Joyce Dietz the the going got and other staff of Scottish Literature Department have helped Glasgow to make University last few I to the a pleasant place spend years. would like to thank Dr. Robert Crawford the late Stephen Boyd also and for during first St. their the supervision year of my research at Andrews University. Both provided me with many valuable insights in those Thanks, too, to Alasdair Gray early stages. himself, for interview him, but for to not only allowing me making daunting His a prospect such an entertaining experience. in St. Andrews in generosity while writer residence at allowing Monica Hodges The Loss to the me and stage a production of of Golden Silence Crawford Theatre in April 1994 for the the at bottle Glenlivet, meagre reward of a of was greatly appreciated, as fine School English, headed by Dr. the the was sponsorship of of Christopher MacLachlan. My Kate Douglas Whiteford, have parents, and worried least I have. They have thesis about my at as much as offered tremendous throughout, support putting up with many angst- 'phone ridden calls, embarrassing conversations with relatives 'what Eilidh is doing about now', and writing cheques whenever It be necessary without a murmur. will no small relief to them lang darg is Actually, father is due when the over. my thanks and blame for it he lent his the whole project: was who me copy of Lanark twelve holiday Arran. You did years ago while on on never book back, Dad--sorry. get your .. Lari Don, helped did boring who proof-read, a and time- job for That's consuming with good grace and no material reward. friends for. Any what are mistakes missed are, of course, my own I'd like to thank Heather Smyth Teresa responsibility. also and Pires, formerly the University Guelph, for being of of veritable bibliographies feminist walking on all things theoretical-- and for footnotes, thanks the Other friends help guys. whose and I've include support valued Jenny Henry, Douglas Hardy, Calum Smith, Gavin Anderson, Kevin Pringle. and 4 Two however, have had live to this thesis people, with at different during last four have had the to points years, and put up blethering it. The due is thanks to them with me endlessly about immeasurable. I like Luciano Kovdcs for to thank really would in lots for thinking challenging and expanding my of ways, and fuelled intellectual the that the supplying awesome pasta recipes hot-house final And finally, the atmosphere of stages. most of all, I like Sarah Nicholson for to thank thesis would caring about my her for for almost as much as own, proof-reading, sharing good ideas, for lousy ideas, for for trashing getting me a computer, lending for for me a printer, providing technical support, and light bulbs. Sarah, I don't it have happened think changing would for thanks without you, so everything. Declaration Part Chapter Four has been from of adapted a revised version of by "Engendered Subjects: Subjectivity National and an article me, Identity in Alasdair Gray's 1982, Janine, " the researched at University St. Andrews in Scollands 2/1994, of and published pp. 66-82,0 Edinburgh University Press, 1995. Abbreviations The following have been abbreviations used: SSP Saltire Self-Portrait ..... SL Something Leather ...... TLS Times Literary Supplement ..... NLS National Library Scotland of ..... SNP Scottish National Party ..... 5 Introduction: Shades Gray. of In Alasdair Gray's The Loss the second act of unpublished play of the Golden Silence, in 1973, the following exchange takes written between the two place nameless protagonists: SHE: When is it be by my thesis complete will read a like it because Half them committee of academics. of will half it. The don't they other will really understand it hate for it. understand and me (25) You HE: (FASCINATED) tell must me more. juncture To begin a thesis on Gray's work at this particular might if but these lines have haunted me as seem audacious, not unwise, fear However, that I have this thesis. my researched and written be in has 'She' the words of would realized my own endeavours discouraged bolstered than my critical my resolve rather intrigue fear has been with counterbalanced enquiries; my insistent in by Gray's intrigue the voice of prompted work, echoed 'He' 'tell urging, me more'. As I thesis attempt to situate myself and my within a framework the critical and a socio-historical context, words above They beg 'why I doing thisT the am question are not comforting. for literary That is fairly fundamental question a would-be a bluntly in black The but critic, one rarely posed so and white. finds in I terms can offer expression most pressing answer from discourses: I fan; I love Alasdair equally aloof academic am a Gray's books. Frankly, had I been indifferent or antipathetic Gray's I have been four towards to work, would crazy spend years little My for Gray's thinking about else. admiration work should however, be interpreted indiscriminate I not, as adulation; rather, language literary the that the confront problem of contemporary judgements be tend to criticism, where provisional and emotions to the task untrustworthy, seems unequal of explaining my all-too Gray's Possibly to the unsophisticated gut reactions work. concept 'jouissance'l describing than terms to of comes closer other critical how I have learned from, laughed enjoyed, contemplated, at, cried 1The term is used by Barthes (1976) and Kristeva (1980) to address the experience of reading--'the pleasure of the text'. 6 been by Gray's but at, wrestled with, and exasperated work, even for defies that seems an over-analytical term an experience which analytical reflection. Although Lanark the first book I by Gray, it was was read That 1982. Janine take that really made me sit up and. notice. was first the time any writer--anyone--had made me see connections issues between diverse that the seemingly social and political in the nineteen-eighties. occupied my earnest political conscience by This, the decade of my teens, was marked the rise of neo- liberalism, Thatcher's (and Reagan's) 'New Right', which I directly indirectly increasingly grim social and as experienced and Scottish-- began economic conditions to affect many parts of back-lash indeed, British--society; the the eighties saw a against little the women's movement with remission of endemic sexism in Western discrimination the against women and structural 2 the Cold War immediately manifest to me arms race, most world; in in the nuclear installations and Polaris submarines situated despite Scotland, the political. and economic continued unabated, in by Gorbachev in the USSR; and, of course, the changes ushered decade in Scotland to seemed remain eighties was a which failure in 1979 impasse the trapped after within a constitutional in favour Scottish big to of a parliament. secure a enough majority Janine (the familiar title to personal and which comes mind Not did I the when think of the novel) was a revelation. only ideologies I lived (although I the novel make me aware of under didn't like 'ideology' back then) but it also suggested use words interpret alternative ways to and respond to my personal and Gray's to the political contexts. novel compelled me examine for- life to the taken granted minutiae of everyday and question - power relations underlying seemingly straightforward everyday interactions; 1982. Janine to the encouraged me see small-scale, personal, and particular aspects of my own experience as part of larger, 'obviously' much more visible, and more powerful If structures and systems. not quite a political awakening, reading 1982, Janine liberating was an enlightening and experience. 2Susan Faludi's Backlash: The Undeclared War Against Women. London: Chatto & Windus, 1992 dispels illusion that has been in any gender equality now achieved Western society. 7 be 1982. Yet, however sincere my sentiments may regarding highly Janine, my comments remain subjective, contextual, and I them here because they help me locate my personal. present help to own position within social and political contexts and me in first Alasdair Gray's books interested the place. me explain why indulgent The paragraphs above are also, perhaps, a small, kind critical approach. concession to a certain of evaluative it has been Although is 'value not my no critic ever neutral', in this thesis to assess the relative merits and qualities of priority instead I their Gray's concentrate on engagement various works; The interpretations I Gray's discourses offer of of power. with discursive fields. their writings are secondary to my exploration of in Gray's I key ideological prose writings and strands consider Indeed, tensions. my explore their central, sometimes unresolved, discussion 1982. Janine in the fourth chapter of this thesis, of favourite than homage to one of my novels, rather paying highlights its in In the course of the ambivalences a critical way. thesis, I highlight how discourses of nation, empire, gender, intersect in Gray's writings. subjectivity, and class Mapping Critical Territory. Gray's to Any political, or more of relation critical consideration its first discourses to ideological must attempt address generally, its assumptions and complicity with whatever own methodological her Judith Butler, it to addressing own critical seeks critique. in Gender Trouble, argues: approach language The juridical structures of and politics constitute - field hence, is there the contemporary of power; no position field, but its this only a critical genealogy of own outside (5) legitimating practices. draws heavily (although Butler's not uncritically) approach, which discourse Michel Foucault, is I have found on the theories of one for Discourse theory particularly suggestive my own methodology. has been defined in but I take Diane Macdonell's various ways, inclusive definition "whatever has is that signifies or meaning part discourse'13 discourse is that of as a starting point, stressing a 3Macdonell, 1986; 4. p. 8 It is important Foucault's to that relational concept. note work Sara Mills it is strongly resists any sytematization; as suggests, helpfully "as 'tool-box' totalising theory" most used a and not as (1991; 8). While Foucault's influence be felt throughout can my in fact, I draw thesis, on a wide range of critical theories, and use feminist tructurali theory, theory, and various aspects of post- s st in theory the postcolonial course of my arguments. I Foucault's theories have been widely appropriated within because Foucault feminist, theories, gender, and postcolonial not displays interest in issues feminism much of and postcolonialism. but because he highlights discourse in the role of as such, hegemonic he power; points producing, supporting, and resisting but localised, to not only to state-institutionalised power, also his 'genealogies' to suggest ways personal operations of power; is, knowledge that construct counter-discourses, systems of which determinations the and universalising resist of universalist Foucauldian Herein lies the of assumptions. main attraction Western for those to critiques of methods wishing construct humanism from feminist and non-European perspectives. However, Foucauldian the analyses of ways power operates in intimate, levels, the at private as well as public, political sphere, less for Gray's Gray's I are no suggestive work. work, argue, ideological discourses Western humanism-- explores sustaining of imperialism, individualism--and highlights capitalism, patriarchy, internal At Gray's their tensions. times contradictions and writings destabilize discourses, these and subvert suggesting counter- discourses from Gray's constructed alternative perspectives; yet their the writings also confirm complicity with structures of they power and systems of representation with which engage. While Gray's I writings, argue, often offer critiques of prevailing Western ideologies, in I do to my own critical account not attempt internal I their tensions; try to these tensions resolve rather, use Gray's ideological frameworks to their make visible own and discursive limits. I for this see strategy as a precondition socially- its to concerned critical praxis which wishes avoid essentializing interest, for I the object of and a prerequisite provisional readings texts. offer of selected