Irish literature is currently in a golden age, frequently noticed in prominent international book awards and best-seller lists. It’s often pondered why Irish writers are thriving and there’s no shortage of reasons: it could be our nation’s inherent gift for storytelling, the effective education system, the support of the Arts Council, the amicability of the Irish writing community or simply how welcoming Irish publishers and readers are to unorthodox works. Of course, Irish people are never at a loss for words and since writing is basically an extension of conversation, it’s not surprising to see so many good writings.
But a particularly noteworthy trend is what these Irish authors choose as their themes. Numerous authors have crafted intense dramas hinged on family dynamics, with an emphasis on families that are somehow dysfunctional. They tirelessly weave tangled webs of family secrets, heartbreaking tragedies and social ostracisation. The family, as a subject matter, appears to be a staple in contemporary Irish literature.
These books are beloved both at home and abroad due to their universal appeal; nearly everyone has a family and understands the conflicts and intricacies that exist within its constellations. Stories about families always present engaging narratives, exploring the contradictory nature of love within a familial setting, where sometimes those who you love the most also hurt you the most.
Irish literary works present family as a metaphor for the community, implying that both family and society are at the same time alluring and potentially harmful. The dysfunctional family often stands for the dysfunctional society it is a part of.
But this phenomenon didn’t suddenly appear out of nowhere. Historically, family has served as the only trustworthy entity in the lives of Irish people, while they endured colonial rule. During those times, family was their sole refuge, as everything else was part of a controlling superstructure, even the church. From this perspective, the focus on families in Irish literature may well be deeply embedded in our cultural memory.
Upon gaining independence and penning our Constitution, the family unit was presented not merely as a private domain free from government intrusion, but as the embodiment of the nation itself. Ireland was conceived as a family, a sanctuary of devout Catholicism and a fortress against lack of religious faith beyond our frontiers. It was expected of every Irish family to uphold this idealised representation of Ireland, with deviation seen as treachery to the motherland.
This potent notion took root, not only amongst residents of Ireland, but also in the minds of every Irish emigrant, garnering even more strength abroad. In places like Cricklewood or Chicago, where the Irish congregated in insular clusters amidst those who despised their accents and faith, the concepts of family and family-as-nation were deeply esteemed. Vestiges of this thinking are still observable today, particularly in the United States. This could perhaps elucidate why Irish-Americans often hold on to dated depictions of Ireland that no longer correspond with reality in their homeland.
Joe Biden appears to have grown up with the concept of the Irish family serving as a representation of the homeland deeply ingrained in his psyche. His own life narrative mirrors that concept: devout Catholicism intertwined with personal misfortune. And as per his own account, he noticed an identical theme in Israel – a beleaguered family unit banding together, even while encircled by foes.
The American political elite is typically supportive of any action undertaken by Israel – or concerned about the possible backlash criticism might ignite – yet even within this context, Biden seems most willing to continually provide unconditional support to Israel. In the words of Sally Rooney, to Biden, this appears to be a personal matter: the family-as-nation concept appears to be so deeply entrenched in him that it circumvents his reasoning or ethical understanding.
Biden may benefit from delving into a few Irish family dramas as a reminder that those we dearly love can sometimes exhibit the most horrifying behaviour.