On the afternoon of November 8, Professor Lucy Collins from the School of English, Drama, and Film at University College Dublin delivered a lecture titled "Island Life: Contemporary Irish Women Poets and the Marine Environment" at the invitation of the Irish Studies Centre at Beijing Foreign Studies University. The lecture was hosted by Professor Chen Li, Director of the Centre.
At the beginning of her lecture, Professor Collins used Ailbhe Darcy's poem "Jellyfish" to explore the connection between migration and the ocean. In the poem, the poet intertwines childhood memories of seaside living with the realities of global climate change, subtly referencing the uncertainties and anxieties arising from social issues like the climate crisis and mass immigration. New-generation immigrant poets, such as Natasha Remoundou, utilize marine imagery to express their reflections on identity and self-reconstruction. Remoundou symbolizes identity transformation through the flow of water, examining the dual significance of the ocean as a symbol of migration—both a land of hope and a place of suffering.
Professor Collins further introduced the intertwining of the ocean and personal identity through another female poet, Audrey Molloy's "Emergency Cocktail." In this piece, the ocean serves not only as a backdrop for life but also as a pathway to self-discovery and identity formation. Molloy humorously describes her emotional attachment to the ocean, and Professor Collins pointed out how Molloy's work illustrates how immigrant poets reflect on their connections to their homeland and their identity reconstruction in new environments. This use of marine imagery showcases the poets' understanding and exploration of cross-cultural experiences.
Subsequently, Professor Collins discussed how Jane Robinson's poetry addresses environmental pollution and ecological destruction. Robinson utilizes marine imagery to reveal the damage caused by human activities, particularly in her depiction of the Marshall Islands after nuclear testing. Through visual and auditory expressions, Robinson allows readers to feel the heavy consequences of the destruction of the natural environment. She cleverly formats her lines into fragmented shapes in the poem, mimicking the shattered reality following a nuclear explosion, vividly representing the lasting and far-reaching impacts of ecological disasters.
In this lecture, Professor Collins demonstrated how contemporary Irish women poets explore the complex relationships between identity, history, and ecology through the imagery of the ocean. These poems not only express an appreciation for the sea but also reflect on humanity's understanding of nature and self in contemporary society. The works of these poets prompt us to reconsider the role of nature while also contemplating the importance of globalization, colonial history, and ecological issues in today’s world.
During the Q&A session, Professor Collins engaged in discussions with Professor Chen Li and the audience regarding the status of female writers in Irish literature, the current state of immigration in Ireland, and the uniqueness of poetry in ecological criticism. At the end of the lecture, Professor Chen invited Professor Collins to introduce the journal Irish University Review and share submission advice for Chinese audiences. As the editor of the journal, Professor Collins encouraged submissions from scholars worldwide, particularly from China, and especially welcomed research on contemporary lesser-known authors. She noted that the journal has a history of over 50 years and is dedicated to expanding diverse research perspectives, hoping to receive more academic contributions related to contemporary Irish literature.
