ABSTRACT
AnumberofRudkin'smid-1970splaysfindhimaddressingthefictionofbeing English,conventionallypredicatedonthetwinnedillusionsofthecontinuityof socialformandoftheobjectivityoflaw.
Penda'sFen(written1973,broadcastbyBBCTVandpublishedbyDavisPoynter,London,1974),opensasfollows:'Asummerlandscape:pastoral Worcestershire,topurplelineofMalvernHills.'Overthis,thevoiceofStephen Franklin,'Adolescent,darksmoulderingMidlandsquality,overlaidwithschooling':'Ohmycountry.Isayoverandover:Iamoneofyoursons,itistrue;Iam, Iam.YethowshallIshowmylove?'.ButStephen'senquirygoesevenbeyondthe dilemmaofmanifestingpersonalpassioninindigenoussocialterms,ashemeditatesonElgar's'TheDreamofGerontius'whichposesthequestion:'whatisto happentomysoul?'.Thisvisionarycompositionrecountstheexperiencesof Gerontiusafterdeath(experienceswhichechothoseofGoweronhismeeting withStephenYescanabinTheSonsofLight):'AnAngelmeetshissoulbeyondthe grave.IthinkthisAngelismale,yethesingsinawoman'svoice,whichmakes himunearthly.Hetakesthedeadman'ssoulacrossthegrillesofHell,where Demonsscreamandmockthem...SoontheyapproachtheCourtsofLight.We hearadistantsinging,tumultuous,likeamightyocean...'.
