ABSTRACT
In this essay I will be using two texts-one fictional, one non-fictional-to reflect upon how I read and write my identity as an Irishwoman. To orient the reader to what follows, I first of all need to present my identification papers: my qualifications, or lack of them, for writing on this topic. I identify as Irish firstly because of biological inheritance (my parents are Irish), and secondly because of upbringing: although I was born in England, I spent most of my childhood in Ireland (and most of my adult life, so far, outside of it). I am also easily identifiable as Irish, in terms of my name, my accent, and so on. My academic research is
I Laura Marcus, 'Theories of Autobiography', in Swindells, Julia, ed., The Uses of Autobiography: Feminist Perspectives Past and Present (London: Taylor and Francis, 1995), p. 21. Marcus is citing Shoshana Felman, What Does a Woman Want? (New York and London: Routledge, 1994). For other feminist writings on autobiography, see in particular Shari Benstock, ed., The Private Self: Theory and Practice of Womens Autobiographical Writings (London and New York: Routledge, 1988).
