The Greek Idea

How do those living in diaspora form their own national and transnational identity? "The Greek Idea" offers a new critical paradigm from which to explore these identities. Drawing upon postcolonial theory, Maria Koundoura addresses and analyses the cultural material that produced Greece's representation as both Europe's origin and 'other'. The long association of Greece and English Literature began with English travellers' 'discovery' of Greece in the late-eighteenth century and the reinforcement of the myth which placed Greece as the location of Western culture. However Greece now finds itself on the boundary of a Europe which had originally placed it at the centre. Koundoura maps what this dual representation signifies for Greeks, both national and diasporic. In doing so, she touches on England, Greece, the United States, Australia and twentieth century diaspora cultures. For scholars of postcolonial, English, European, Balkan, Modern Greek, and Diaspora studies this fascinating contribution to the growing area of transnational culture studies opens up the critical discourse in their field.