Introduction

270
5. Conclusion and Outlook
Melanie Swiatloch
“It’s not our business to turn Orange and Green into a sludgy brown”, remarked
one of the founding members of the cultural diversity programme 40 in Northern
Ireland (Crozier 38). Instead of mixing the cultural backgrounds of Catholics and
Protestants the cultural diversity programme’s aim in the first place was to join
both parties in dialogue so that they could learn about the ‘Other’ but never “to
overrule or eliminate difference” (ibid. 38). That a mutual understanding without
giving up one’s own identity is possible is also shown in the novels discussed.
Although the protagonists have not participated and do not participate in any of
the cultural diversity programmes they nevertheless develop, or already have developed,
a certain degree of openness towards their fellow countrymen. By looking
at different aspects that are important for Northern Irish identity, such as the
Irish language, the postcolonial background, and the effects of war, it can be seen
how characters are affected by both their past and present situations and how a
new way in contemporary literature has been pursued. Models like Anderson’s
imagined community as well as more traditional models of the nation and
Bhabha’s theory of hybridity help to understand the building of communities as
well as why some people become able to abandon old ways of thinking.
Hence, it becomes understandable why nationalism still is important to a great
number of people as colonial aspects have been affecting the country. Characters
like Aoirghe or Brian use this to make up great parts of their identities. Other
characters like Johnny Mahon or Tony Larkin are proof of how far people were
willing to go and even engaged in paramilitary activities. This is contrasted by the
vision of Jake’s ‘New Irish’ who can look very different as depicted by the three
novels but who also leaves the old quarrels behind and turns to a brighter and
more promising future. This model of the ‘New Irish’ can primarily be applied to
Jake himself but also to Chuckie and their close circle of friends. Even Aoirghe at
the end of the novel seems to have changed from the stereotypical nationalist to a
more moderate type who is able to follow Jake on the path of new Irishness. Beyond
the novel Eureka Street that has introduced the term of the ‘New Irish’, characters
of this type can be found in both One by One in the Darkness and Where They
Were Missed. Cate embodies the ‘New Irish’ because she both clings to her Catholic
faith but also manages to lead her life free from restrictions. Saoirse inherits
40 As there had been no government initiatives to abolish the divisions between the Catholic and
the Protestant community the Cultural Traditions Group was founded in 1988, which later was
changed to the Cultural Diversity Group. The immediate aim of the group was to bring children
of segregated schools together and give them the opportunity to meet members of the other
community. Several programmes for shared projects were thus initiated. Also the “wider community”
in the form of the family was not left out. Later various other courses to encourage
mutual understanding were introduced like television and radio programmes, which promoted
CDs and films. Also history societies, resident groups and women’s and youth organizations
were created (Crozier 36ff).