Edna O’Brien and Molly Keane: An Analysis of Their Similarities Through the Narratives of “Irish Revel” and Good Behaviour

Abstract

In the recent the Irish literary scene there are two authors known for their polemic topics and depiction of Ireland: Edna O’Brien and Molly Keane. Molly Keane depicts in her stories the life of the Anglo-Irish gentry while Edna O’Brien focuses on rural settings and stories of female experiences. Even though both authors appear to be unrelated, they share common characteristics and features which are reflected in their narratives and general style. In particular, these features can be seen in the characters, themes, narrator and literary mode of Good Behaviour and Irish Revel. Through an analysis of those elements and of the lives of both authors, this work aims to convey the similarities between Edna O’Brien and Molly Keane.

Dentro del contexto de la escena literaria Irlandesa reciente se encuentran dos escritoras conocidas por sus temas polémicos y su representación de Irlanda: Edna O’Brien y Molly Keane. Molly Keane refleja en sus obras la vida de la clase alta Anglo-Irlandesa mientras que Edna O’Brien se centra en escenarios rurales y experiencias vividas por mujeres. Aunque parezca que no hay relación entre ambas autoras, comparten características y rasgos comunes que se reflejan en sus narrativas y estilo general. Concretamente, estos rasgos pueden ser apreciados en los personajes, temas, narrador y modo literario de Good Behaviour y “Irish Revel”. A través del análisis de esos elementos y de la vida de ambas autoras, este trabajo pretende exponer las similitudes existentes entre Edna O’Brien y Molly Keane.