Identity, Narrative and Politics

In this text, the author argues that the concept of identity within the discipline of politics should be developed much further in order to advance political theory. Taking the premise that the terms "narrative", "identity" and "character" and their accompanying concepts could fruitfully be brought into political theory. The author uses literature, especially novels, to illustrate and develop her argument. Using the notion of narrative identity emerging from novels, the book explores how political theory can move away from the dichotomy between "the self" and "political identity", towards a fuller concept. Hightlighting the role of narrative in the novels as a mediator between interest in the individual and to the individual as a member of a group, Whitebrook demonstrates that the information and maintenance of identity if a political matter. The discrepancies between individual and political "order" in the novels and the implications of this are then examined. The book aims to be of interest to students and researchers in political and social theory, literary studies and cultural studies.