Abstract:

Although the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) has been known as an internationalist due to his Fabian socialism, his Irish play John Bull’s Other Island (JBOI) (1904) firmly links Shaw to a significant tension in Irish literature: cosmopolitanism versus nationalist parochialism. In contrast to parochial characters such as Father Dempsey, Matthew Haffigan and Corney Doyle; Larry Doyle and Keegan are cosmopolitan characters. The parochialism of the first group consists of their strong Irish nationalism; their limited knowledge of the world which make them prejudiced and bigoted towards other cultures and peoples; and their indifference to the rest of the world. On the other hand, Keegan and Larry have both seen the world outside Ireland and formed a “cultivated detachment from restrictive forms of identity”. Keegan does not only reject the restrictiveness of the national “Irish” identity embracing all humanity, he even detaches himself from the human identity but embraces all living things and nature as his fellow creatures. In a similar line Larry Doyle detaches himself from Irish nationalism or the landed class that his family belong to. Instead he promotes an Ireland which is totally open to the world. Secondly, both Keegan and Doyle share a “broad understanding of other cultures and customs”. Keegan is the only Roscullen resident who can see through English Broadbent’s land development project. Doyle, on the other hand, has a rather balanced understanding of the English culture. He admires certain aspects of the English character while criticizing some of these aspects severely. Both characters exhibit a firm “belief in universal humanity”. Keegan tries to learn from all religions and creeds. This openness and understanding cost him his frock. Doyle gets on better with non-Irish friends rather than his countrymen. Although Keegan and Larry seem to be social outcasts, they still say the last word at the end of the play.

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