Brit-Myth: Who Do the British Think They Are?The world sees Britain through the antics of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the stiff-lipped, painfully class-conscious societies depicted in Gosford Parkand Remains of the Day, and the scathing diatribes of American Idol’s Simon Cowell. The images being projected from the island nation of England are so disparate these days that it’s hard to know what to think of the British. Chris Rojek explores this dilemma, looking at the myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes of the British. Drawing upon a wide range of sources in pop culture, politics, art, and history, Rojek examines how Britons are viewed both at home and abroad. From Austin Powers to King Arthur and Albion, and from Big Brother to international opinion polls, Rojek investigates what it means to be British in a globalized, multicultural world. Brit-Myth deftly avoids extreme nationalism or abstract scholarship, offering a new conception of Britishness that transcends race and emphasizes the integral role of individualism and nonconformity in British identity. Full of thought-provoking insights and engaging anecdotes, Brit-Myth will entertain both Anglophiles and those who want to learn more about the land under the Union Jack. |
Contents
Cool Britannia and the Nation | |
Is a National Day Possible in Modern Britain? | |
The Navel of the Nation | |
Myths of Genealogy and Intention | |
Britons Today | |
The Mel Gibson View of British History | |
Celluloid Heroes and Villains | |
British Ressentiment | |
Empire and Phoenix | |
The Citizenship Test | |
Select Bibliography Photo Acknowledgements | |
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Common terms and phrases
American anger AngloSaxon/Celtic Austin Powers Basil Fawlty Blair Braveheart Britain British character British culture British Empire British heroes British history British Muslims British nationalism British values Britons cent ofUKpopulation century challenged characteristics citizens citizenship codes colonial contemporary Cool Britannia define Diana difference distinctive economic emotional England English ethnic European favour Fawlty films four nations Gareth Gates Gibson global Hollywood Hutton Inquiry icons imperial individuals and groups interest Iraq Irish Jade Goody James Bond John Major Labour London migration modern Britain multicultural and multiethnic multiethnic Britain multiethnicity and multiculturalism myths of genealogy myths of intention national identity national unity nationstate nonwhite Northern Ireland Patriot play political popular population portrayed position postimperial postwar Princess Diana question recognized regarded religious represented respect ressentiment rule Scotland sense symbols term Thatcher Tony Blair traditional British Trainspotting Union Victor Meldrew villains votes Wales