Modern Glaswegian Child Formation in Joe Laughed by James Kelman: a Philosophical Paradigm
Abstract
The study addresses the philosophical existence of the Glaswegian working-class child in Joe Laughed (1998), a short story set during the 21st century, analyzing the ontological being's self. It reintroduces James Kelman (1946- ) as a philosophical presentist rather than the peripheral cultural writer as literary space knows him. A step backward resets literati to study a new frontier__ the interior level of the self, which precedes and is responsible for the exterior power of identity construction. The reciprocal relation between the self and identity is imperative to configure mainly the child's ambivalent individuality and the Scottish oppressed in general. The characters' existential deep layers are intellectually integrated and deciphered by philosophy-based theories headed by Friedrich Nietzsche. This systemizes a logistic to delve into the overlooked blind side of the inner working mindset process to the Scottish proletariat structure. However, Kelman's writing style sounds nonsensical and indirect, prompting readers to close reading to detect the nuances installed within. Thus, ontological and epistemological knowledge are involved to investigate how the reality of that Glaswegian sect operates in a nihilistic vehicle.
