“Dirt, And Spit, And Poetry”: The Changing Shape Of Kathleen Jamie’s Writing

Abstract

Scottish poet, Kathleen Jamie, published her first collection of poetry in 1982 and over the past three decades her work has observed and explored a transitory phase in Scottish constitutional politics. This thesis examines the interweaving of the personal and political in Jamie's career, from her earliest works which went on to inspire Carol Ann Duffy's feminist oeuvre, to her more recent forays into eco-poetry and non-fiction prose. Although Jamie's writing undoubtedly goes through distinct phases, there is a continuity in her work which is thus far neglected by her critics. This thesis is a full study of Jamie's career from 1982 - 2012, it's purpose is to examine links across different periods of this career as well as the personal and political forces which lead to shifts in poetic direction.