NATIONAL IDENTITY

Write 500 words analyzing the role of one character in the novel and how the author uses them to convey ideas about National Identity.

DeBernieres, effectively uses various characters to shed light on his ideas and views on National Identity.Through the use of characters such as Corelli, DeBernieres is effectively able to express his portrayal of national identity through mostly the use of stereotypes, whether they are good or bad. DeBernieres does so because national identity and pride play a very important role/theme in the novel and in the war. For example, DeBernieres uses Iannis to convey his thoughts through an extract on page 53 where Iannis states in a clear-cut manner, a summary of all the stereotypes when it comes to Italians, Germans and Greeks. Not only is Iannis the character used to voice DeBernieres thoughts but Iannis is also established as the voice of Greece and in this way we see that Iannis is constructed to be a stereotypical Greek man. When Iannis gives the Corelli a summary of what Greeks are all about, on page 289, Iannis includes himself whilst describing the Greeks and we begin to see his role as a stereotypical Greek. He, not only is the voice of reason but, symbolizes intelligence, philosophy, education and reason. His extract describing Hellenic and Romoi Greeks talks collectively about Greece, himself included and he vociferates with passion, reason and great intelligence with his good vocabulary and vast understanding.Therefore, we can see that DeBernieres, through Iannis, apprises the readers of how “Greeks are equal to the best”, this is exemplified with how Iannis wants to educate his daughter and make her learned because he wants her to stand tall against other men and be among the best of medical patrons. Also, he states that Greeks are “hospitable to strangers” and this isn’t only an empty statement but DeBernieres sheds light on it as we actually see Iannis and Pelagia willingly taking care of Corelli despite his role as the ‘enemy’. Also, we are told of how Greeks are “nostalgic for something” and “hate solitude” and their hatred for solitude is described when we notice how Iannis makes regular visits to the Kepheneion and Pelagia to the well and is content with her company in her goat and Lemoni at times. Hence, it is seen through the Pelagia and her nursing father, the love for education and the desire to repress violence that they so willingly do, Pelagia with her desire to be like her father in the medical field and their need to be hospitable towards a stranger just for the mere reason that they are simple, pastoral people who don’t feel the need to be violent. And as most Greeks, they are described to be simplistic and pastoral in their lives, their lives in Greece, Greece with its ancient history and philosophy and art and literature, “she inspected the ruminating goat for ticks, burned them off with a hot needle and then burrowed through the coarse hair all over again.” Also, when Lemoni arrives with an injured pine martin and asks Iannis for help, he believes that he could simply spare the pine marten its burdens and suffering and kill, but because of the Greek within him that is reasonable, educated, controlled and nonviolent, he decides to do his best to rescue it, “he contemplated the deed for a few moments, exhorted himself to the act, he bathed the wound carefully and put single stitch in it.” Hence, it is through the simplistic lifestyle yet the great vast amount of knowledge and reason displayed through Iannis (And Pelagia) that the readers are apprised of the stereotypical view of Greeks that DeBernieres effectively sheds light in order to convey his ideas about national identity alongside securing the readers sympathy for Greece and its people.