A Critical Study of Sean Ofaolain’s Life and Work

A critical exploration of the life and work of Sean O’Faolain, a somewhat neglected Irish writer, placing his achievement in historical and political context. Marie Arndt’s theoretical framework uses primarily Foucault and Fanon. Though O’Faolain tried to convey a picture of himself as an internationalist, he also remained emotionally attached to his Irish roots. This study proposes that these fundamental points lie at the heart of his often contradictory arguments on contemporary Irish issues such as the Gaelic heritage, Catholicism, nationalism, and the Anglo-Irish and English colonial presence in Ireland.