Title: The Spatial Image of “Madhouse” in The Steward of Christendom and The Secret Scripture

Abstract: Contemporary Irish writer Sebastian Barry addresses the overlooked trauma of non-nationalists during the Irish War of Independence through his writings The Steward of Christendom and The Secret Scripture, focusing on the core space of “madhouse.” According to Michel Foucault’s theory, the “madhouse” is a heterotopia characterized by violence and oppression from social discipline against the marginalized. However, the mutual support among the lower-class provides a hopeful chance of healing the trauma. Through the heterotopia of “madhouse,” Barry connects the “silenced” groups under the nationalist narrative, not only commemorating the suffering caused by the cultural and political conflicts in Ireland, but also calling on the people to look forward to a better future with goodness and love. Barry’s efforts to portray the “madhouse” as a spatial image help to deepen the understanding of the theme of marginality and also enrich the historical background in his writings.

Keywords: Sebastian Barry, Irish literature, heterotopia, marginality

Author: Mengdie Xu, Ph.D. Candidate, School of English and International Studies, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China.

DOI: 10.19967/j.cnki.flc.2025.02.011