The Portrayal of the Working Class and its Impact on Contemporary Scottish Literature in Irvine Welsh's Novel ‘Trainspotting’

Abstract

This paper examined the portrayal of the working class in Irvine Welsh's novels, focusing primarily on "Trainspotting." The analysis explored the ways in which Welsh's depiction of the working class challenged traditional literary representations of this demographic and highlighted the socioeconomic and political issues faced by the group. Additionally, the paper discussed the impact of Welsh's work on contemporary Scottish literature, arguing that his novels had a significant influence on the development of a more diverse and nuanced representation of working-class life in literature. Ultimately, this study showed that Welsh's writing contributed to a more accurate and empathetic portrayal of the working class in contemporary Scottish literature, paving the way for greater representation and understanding of this important demographic. This paper aimed to explore the portrayal of the working class in Irvine Welsh's novels, with a particular focus on "Trainspotting," and its impact on contemporary Scottish literature. Through a close analysis of the representation of the working-class characters in Welsh's work, this paper argued that Welsh's depiction of the working class not only challenged the mainstream cultural stereotypes but also reflected the reality of working-class life in Scotland. Furthermore, the paper explored how Welsh's unique voice and narrative style contributed to a reinvigoration of Scottish literature, and how his work influenced other writers to represent working-class experiences in their own work.