(Un)settling the Irish emigrant identity: representation and construction of an Irish emigrant/exile identity in the travel narratives of Kathleen Nevin and William Bulfin

Through an examination of the travel works of William Bulfin, Tales of the Pampas (1900) and Kathleen Nevin's You'll Never Go Back this paper considers the representation of the Irish in Argentina and the contribution of these narratives in the construction of identity and the reconstruction of the emigrant identity into an exilic one. Escaping one colonial framework (Britain/Ireland), travelling to and writing from within another postcolonial construct (Argentina and the Spanish Empire), this paper analyses how Bulfin and Nevin use language as a tool to construct, and even invent, an Irish identity. This identity is inextricably linked to home and the desire to return there. Despite this desire, Argentina becomes internalised to some extent, which in Bulfin can be seen in the mix of the Spanish, English and Irish languages in his stories, highlighting that the Irish were doing with language what they had already done with their lives; trying to adapt it to their new situation. In Nevin, the contrast between us and them (Irish and 'Native') demonstrates her attempts to shape an exilic rather than emigrant mentality. Through these texts I analyse how Argentina never quite becomes a new home, but a place where Irish identity is played out and acquires form.

John Buttrick, Faculty Recital, January 7, 1966

Concert Program for John Buttrick, Faculty Recital, January 7, 1966

The Consul March 2 & 5, 1966

Concert program for The Consul March 2 & 5, 1966

The University Singers and The University Evening Chorus March 1, 1966

Concert program for The University Singers and the University Evening Chorus March 1, 1966

A Concerto Program, February 20, 1966

Concert program for A Concerto Program, February 20, 1966

The University Wind Sinfonietta, February 18, 1966

Concert program for The University Wind Sinfonietta, February 18, 1966

The University Sinfonietta, February 15, 1966

Concert Program for The University Sinfonietta, February 15, 1966

Randolph Hokanson, Piano Recital, February 2, 1966

Concert Program for Randolph Hokanson, Piano Recital, February 2, 1966

Michael E. Young, Organ Recital, February 1, 1966

Concert Program for Michael E. Young, Organ Recital, February 1, 1966

The University Symphony Orchestra, January 28, 1966

Concert Program for The University Symphony Orchestra, January 28, 1966

Eva Heinitz and Malcolm Hamilton, Recital for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord, January 27, 1966

Concert Program for Eva Heinitz and Malcolm Hamilton, Recital for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord, January 27, 1966

A Concert of Japanese Music, January 20, 1966

Concert Program for A Concert of Japanese Music, January 20, 1966

Noon Recital, Joel Salsman, pianist, Music of Alan Hovhaness, February 11, 1966

Concert program for Noon Recital, Joel Salsman, pianist, Music of Alan Hovhaness, February 11, 1966

A Concert of Works by Ross Lee Finney, 1966

Concert Program for A Concert of Works by Ross Lee Finney, 1966

Richard Roblee in his Senior Trombone Recital, February 17, 1966

Concert program for Richard Roblee in his Senior Trombone Recital, February 17, 1966