New Books Network Joseph Valente, "Irish Shame: A Literary Reckoning" (Edinburgh UP, 2025)
Jul 11, 2025
Join Joseph Valente, a UB Distinguished Professor of English and Disability Studies, and Sean Kennedy, an English Professor specializing in Irish Studies, as they delve into the intricacies of Irish shame. They discuss its historical and cultural ramifications within literature, highlighting personal journeys of recovery from Catholicism. The duo explores how shame intertwines with identity, gender, and societal expectations, all while unpacking trauma and artistic expression in the context of Ireland’s colonial past. A thought-provoking conversation awaits!
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Art as Silent Testimony
- Sean Kennedy's art expresses unspeakable sorrow related to Indigenous and Irish women's suffering.
- He scavenges ocean-found objects, embodying silent testimony through his piece "Vigil."
The Double Bind of Irish Shame
- Shame is a social emotion about who you are, internalized through the voice of others.
- Ireland's shame roots in colonialism and religion create a complex double bind shaping identity and ethics.
Roots of Irish Shame in Poetry
- Early modern poetry reveals Irish shame tied to emasculation and national fantasy.
- Weaponizing shame in Young Ireland politics led to self-destructive dynamics and gendered projections.
