Roald Dahl was a man characterised by multiple identities. Moving between contrasting locations and social circles, his work was never appreciated by academics and educationalists during his lifetime. Yet despite facing the dilemma of championing the underdog versus seeking establishment approval, he never ceased to reimagine Wales in his work.
Children’s literature expert, Dr Ann Alston, will explore how Dahl’s complex relationship with his Anglo-Welsh heritage is subtly present throughout his writing and explain what a private joke at the end of The BFG says about the links the author had with Cumberland Lodge.
Speaker: Ann Alston
Duration: 1 hour
‘The figure of the Big Friendly Giant in The BFG … can be read as Dahl’s anxious reflection on his own cultural trajectory – from Cardiff boy to ‘English’ author’ Professor Damian Walford Davies, Cardiff University