British National Identity
Chris Waters in "Dark Strangers" and George Orwell in "The Lion and the Unicorn," address the topic of national identity before and after wartime England. However, they address the topic in two very different ways. Orwell takes a more cynical approach, referring to national identity in England as essentially a class identity, whereas, Waters addresses the topic in terms of racial identity as the defining terms of national identity in England during and after the war. Waters often speaks of an imagined community or and imagined national identity when referring to Britain. Orwell doesn't bring up these exact terms, but he does imply the same thoughts. Waters and Orwell seem to believe that after the war, national identity will/did crumble. Although these authors write at different times, and come from different backgrounds, they find a common means by which the people of England form a national identity. They attribute the formation of these identities to the role of the government, popular readings, radio, etc. However, in Orwell, national identity coincides with class whereas in Waters, national identity coincides with race. The two articles were written at very different times i
People learned how to cope with immigration better, and the class system had become less skewed. The main focus of Water's article is racial inequality. He believes that the British people saw themselves as a race. Britain also began realizing they are not as powerful as they once used to be. Waters doesn't discuss class as much as Orwell. He believes that the after-war-effects will decrease class difference. Because Orwell's article was written during the time he refers to throughout it, it would be more risky for him to release it to the public. " Words such as stranger created a feeling of separation and unfamiliarity among the British, and therefore creating a separation of races in the country. ' Orwell seems to believes that Hitler's regime are better off than the British Empire. Although, I don't know how kindly many took to it. Orwell believes that many of the identities of the English people are constructed through the upper class and the government. He talks about the beliefs of the English, yet how often they are quick to be hypocritical regarding those beliefs. Nations need a sense of identity, patriotism and nationalism in order to survive. It is easier for Waters to take a less biased approach because he has been presented with the big picture. Along with new immigrants, they experienced a shift in class relations.
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