Abstract: National identity is the collective identity of a nation, and it is the reproduction and reinterpretation by the members of a nation of its peculiar values, myth patterns, symbol systems and cultural traditions. Literature is the crystallization of national culture, and its production narrates and constructs the development of national identity in history. The literary works of different periods in the UK history narrate, copy and inherit the characteristics of its national identity. The Anglo-Saxon literature, the Renaissance, and the 17th century literature in the early English literature precisely represent the evolving Englishness in the national identity. The diversity of English literature, Scottish literature and Irish literature since the 18th century have constructed the characteristics of Britishness in national identity. The rise of Minority literature in the 20th century has expanded the narrative styles of British literature and parallelly constructed the cosmopolitan characteristics of British national identity.

Key words: British literature, national identity, Englishness, Britishness, cosmopolitanism