English Imaginaries : Anglo-British Approaches to Modernity

In this groundbreaking book, Kevin Davey examines notions of Anglo-British identity as represented by both conservative and progressive cultural initiatives. He argues that attempts at modernizing in Britain are hampered by a traditional nationalism that fails to engage with the complexities of contemporary culture. Drawing upon the work of pre- and post-war critics of dominant notions of Britishness, including J. B. Priestley, Herbert Read, Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll, Davey relates their views to the work of more recent challengers of traditional notions of Englishness. He analyzes Who guitarist Pete Townshend, who once wore a Union Jack jacket as a satirical statement but now aligns himself with the royalist establishment, and Vivienne Westwood, who invented anti-fashion and has since become a giant of haute couture. These two are placed in context alongside contemporary icons such as the Guyanan poet David Dabydeen and young British artist Mark Wallinger.