“in mortal form or in ghostly form”: Unraveling the Significance of the Bog in Marina Carr's By the Bog of Cats

Document Type : Original Article

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English Department, Faculty of Arts and Humaities, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Situated upon the Irish landscape, the bog stands as a repository of collective memories and harbors historical fragments awaiting resurgence in unforeseen forms. In exploring the Irish bog's significance, scholars offer insightful perspectives, envisioning it as a profound repository of cultural memories and as a symbol of transitional spaces. This paper dissects Marina Carr's By the Bog of Cats (1998), by delving into its setting to unveil the enduring link between the landscape and the inhabitants who identify it as their abode. It also explores alternative interpretations of the bog as a feminine realm, aligning with conventional perspectives that associate gender with the Irish soil. Carr's narrative unfolds as a poignant tapestry that echoes the timeless cadence of a landscape steeped in mystery and symbolism. Physical and metaphysical realms intertwine with the bog, shaping destinies from birth to demise. In Bog of Cats, the bog symbolizes opposition, serving as a refuge and an opportunity for women seeking liberation. A wellspring of spiritual contentment, woven with threads of bereavement and yearning, the bog epitomizes resilience and endurance in life's challenges.

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