Re-imagining the History of British Abolition: The New Historical Consciousness in Winsome Pinnock’s Rockets and Blue Lights

Xiting Qiao

Article Details

Re-imagining the History of British Abolition: The New Historical Consciousness in Winsome Pinnock’s Rockets and Blue Lights

Authors:

Xiting Qiao

Publisher:

Ataturk University

Main Topics:

Çağdaş Tiyatro Çalışmaları

Journal:

Theatre Academy Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.15-31

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2024

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001313146

pISSN:

2980-1656

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Examining Winsome Pinnocks Rockets and Blue Lights through a new-historical lens, this study aims to shed light on the theatrical intervention in the historical narrative of the British abolition, and to evaluate Pinnocks contribution to modern art and its interpretation through her attempt to highly fictionalize history. By constructing the protagonist J. M. W. Turner as an anti-hero, Pinnock places Turner back in a Victorian ethical context to question the arbitrary construction of Turners heroism by the complicity of discourses of art history and abolitionism. The juxtaposition of historical and social texts reflects Pinnocks awareness of the fictional nature of historical texts, and reveals the continuing impact of the transatlantic slave trade. By restoring black voices across time and space, Pinnock reconstructs the black subjectivity in the history of abolition and in contemporary society. The play encourages readers to understand Britains past in a more inclusive and pluralistic way. While calling Britain to take responsibility for slavery, the play also explores the critical role of art interpretation in reassessing and reshaping historical narratives.

 Examining Winsome Pinnocks Rockets and Blue Lights through a new-historical lens, this study aims to shed light on the theatrical intervention in the historical narrative of the British abolition, and to evaluate Pinnocks contribution to modern art and its interpretation through her attempt to highly fictionalize history. By constructing the protagonist J. M. W. Turner as an anti-hero, Pinnock places Turner back in a Victorian ethical context to question the arbitrary construction of Turners heroism by the complicity of discourses of art history and abolitionism. The juxtaposition of historical and social texts reflects Pinnocks awareness of the fictional nature of historical texts, and reveals the continuing impact of the transatlantic slave trade. By restoring black voices across time and space, Pinnock reconstructs the black subjectivity in the history of abolition and in contemporary society. The play encourages readers to understand Britains past in a more inclusive and pluralistic way. While calling Britain to take responsibility for slavery, the play also explores the critical role of art interpretation in reassessing and reshaping historical narratives.

 Examining Winsome Pinnocks Rockets and Blue Lights through a new-historical lens, this study aims to shed light on the theatrical intervention in the historical narrative of the British abolition, and to evaluate Pinnocks contribution to modern art and its interpretation through her attempt to highly fictionalize history. By constructing the protagonist J. M. W. Turner as an anti-hero, Pinnock places Turner back in a Victorian ethical context to question the arbitrary construction of Turners heroism by the complicity of discourses of art history and abolitionism. The juxtaposition of historical and social texts reflects Pinnocks awareness of the fictional nature of historical texts, and reveals the continuing impact of the transatlantic slave trade. By restoring black voices across time and space, Pinnock reconstructs the black subjectivity in the history of abolition and in contemporary society. The play encourages readers to understand Britains past in a more inclusive and pluralistic way. While calling Britain to take responsibility for slavery, the play also explores the critical role of art interpretation in reassessing and reshaping historical narratives.

 Examining Winsome Pinnocks Rockets and Blue Lights through a new-historical lens, this study aims to shed light on the theatrical intervention in the historical narrative of the British abolition, and to evaluate Pinnocks contribution to modern art and its interpretation through her attempt to highly fictionalize history. By constructing the protagonist J. M. W. Turner as an anti-hero, Pinnock places Turner back in a Victorian ethical context to question the arbitrary construction of Turners heroism by the complicity of discourses of art history and abolitionism. The juxtaposition of historical and social texts reflects Pinnocks awareness of the fictional nature of historical texts, and reveals the continuing impact of the transatlantic slave trade. By restoring black voices across time and space, Pinnock reconstructs the black subjectivity in the history of abolition and in contemporary society. The play encourages readers to understand Britains past in a more inclusive and pluralistic way. While calling Britain to take responsibility for slavery, the play also explores the critical role of art interpretation in reassessing and reshaping historical narratives.

Article Details

Re-imagining the History of British Abolition: The New Historical Consciousness in Winsome Pinnock’s Rockets and Blue Lights

Authors:

Xiting Qiao

Publisher:

Ataturk University

Main Topics:

Çağdaş Tiyatro Çalışmaları

Journal:

Theatre Academy Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.15-31

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2024

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001313146

pISSN:

2980-1656

Winsome Pinnock

British Abolition

Discourse

Slave Trade

Anti-hero

Issues

Article Details

Re-imagining the History of British Abolition: The New Historical Consciousness in Winsome Pinnock’s Rockets and Blue Lights

Authors: Xiting Qiao

Publisher: Ataturk University

Main Topics: Çağdaş Tiyatro Çalışmaları

Journal: Theatre Academy Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.15-31

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2024

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001313146

pISSN: 2980-1656

Winsome Pinnock

British Abolition

Discourse

Slave Trade

Anti-hero

Issues

Authors:

Xiting Qiao

Publisher:

Ataturk University

Main Topics:

Çağdaş Tiyatro Çalışmaları

Journal:

Theatre Academy Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.15-31

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2024

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001313146

pISSN:

2980-1656