Robert Burns and Scottish Cultural Politics - by Paul Malgrati (Paperback)

About the Book

Explores Robert Burns's political legacy in modern and contemporary Scotland.

Book Synopsis

Robert Burns is Scotland's best known and most influential poet; yet his political legacy also ranks amongst the most contentious. His ambiguous verse, oscillating between patriotic odes, egalitarian lines and royalist songs, lends itself to interpretations from across the political divide.
Blending political history and literary studies, this book explores this contested legacy of 'Scotland's National Bard'. It follows the transformations of Burns's image throughout the late modern era, as revolutionaries, nationalists and avant-garde writers co-opted Burns's myth to subvert their country's social and constitutional order. From Great War unionism to 1940s socialism and contemporary nationalism, the examination of Burns's tempestuous afterlives sheds light on the ongoing Scottish question. Overall, it reminds us that poetry is a very shifting ground on which to build a national identity.

Review Quotes

a thoughtful and compelling exploration of the poet's continuing relevance for Scottish
politics and culture.

--Corey E. Andrews, Youngstown State University "Journal of British Studies"

crammed with insightful discussion on the various ways the image and cult of Burns has been appropriated by political and philosophical viewpoints--The Vision "Newsletter of the Robert Burns World Federation"

[Paul Malgrati's] groundbreaking book re-defines an ambiguous figure through paradoxical interpretations of his legacy ... a meticulously researched piece of work which innovatively combines studies in poetry, literature, history, language, culture, and politics.--Lauren Brancaz-McCartan, Université Savoie Mont Blanc "Études Écossaises"

Expert, sparky, and entertaining, Paul Malgrati's book will appeal to anyone interested in Robert Burns or in modern Scotland's history, culture and politics.

--Robert Crawford, University of St Andrews

Malgrati's deft handling of his subject ends with an epilogue rather than a conclusion, but provides a compelling argument for Burns' enduring and malleable appeal as a 'keystone of Scottish cultural politics'.--Dr Máirtín Seán Ó Catháin "History Scotland"

This research shows us that the afterlife of Burns ventured widely in time and space. Burns [...] stays as popular as ever. Whether he is wearing the shades that were digitally added to Nasmyth's portrait, or depicted in the guise of Che Guevara, it reminds us of profound plasticity of Burns's afterlife. Malgrati's book is an excellent guide to the bard throughout a tumultuous century.--Graeme Morton "Burns Chronicle"

This study into Burns' politics and its cultural resonance has the narrative drive of a good novel and the insight of a shrewd observer.--Neil Young "Glasgow Review of Books"