'Fairy Tales, Folklore, and the Development of National and Cultural Identity during the Manx Cultural Revival, 1880-1920'
Date(s): April 2021
Creator(s): Crowe, Molly
Scope & Content: Dissertation submitted to the University of York towards a BA Hons History degree. The author considers the role of language and dialect (chapter 1), mythology and national identity (chapter 2) and unique beliefs and superstitions (chapter 3). She uses the case study of Sophia Morrison's 'Manx Fairy Tales', arguing that it is Morrison's most influential work (successfully forming an unique Manx identity based upon the language, mythology and individual belief systems).
Crowe concludes that fairy tales are plentiful sources of folklore and culture, proving valuable in how a community perceives and chooses to present itself. She asserts that language, mythology, cultural beliefs and superstituions are significant in the creation and legitimisation of cultural and national identity, as they provide something that is distinct and unique to that specific community (page 39). She acknowleges the influence of the wider Celtic revival and recognises that it would be beneficial to examine the similarities and differences found in other collections of fairy tales, especially those collated by Edmund Leary and William Jenkyn Thomas.
Language: English
Extent: 48 pages
Item name: dissertation
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: MS 15279
Record class: Private
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