#magennis is actually an expert in Irish studies and contemporary literature

[milfsarahmccool]

i know the final scene in the season 1 finale of Derry Girls is constantly cited as good television and a good depiction of life during the troubles but something else i really enjoy about it is the act of dancing itself. this is something which occurs again and again in Derry Girls, the Saturday Night sequence, the Take That concert, rock the boat, Orla and Joe at prom. Dancing is consistently shown to be a collective activity the characters take part in, one which is meant to represent youth, joy, and most importantly hope. it is sprinkled throughout the series so subtly but dancing has such an important role, there’s a fantastic article by Dr. Caroline Magennis (which i highly recommend reading) who frames dancing as a form of political resistance. In Derry Girls, dancing isn’t just dancing, it’s a way for these characters to assert that their bodies will not be controlled by external forces, that in spite of the terror and fear that permeates their world, they can and will find joy and their youth will not be stolen from them.

#seriously go read the article it’s not long and it makes some ✨points✨ #magennis is actually an expert in Irish studies and contemporary literature #and her writing is really beautiful #anyway if you hear screaming that’s just me #this is all i’m going to think about for weeks #erin quinn #orla mccool #clare devlin #michelle mallon #james maguire #analysis #derry girls #lisa mcgee #dancing #northern ireland #she talks shite