Anastomosis, attenuations and Manichean allegories: Seamus Heaney and the complexities of Ireland (Pre-published version)

Abstract

This essay discusses the nature of postcolonial versions of Irishness and deconstructs the Manichean categories of selfhood and alterity which feature in both colonial and postcolonial discourse. Using some ideas from Derrida and looking at some work by Seamus Heaney, notably An Open Letter, this essay argues for a more nuanced sense of Irishness.