Common Themes in Canadian Literature

1. Common Themes in Canadian Literature

2. 1. Illusion Vs. Reality Whether seeking to escape persecution or desiring to prove their independence, all people who emigrated to North America share the dream that, here, one may begin again. Once here however, when faced with the reality of survival in a sometimes harsh physical and social environment, some characters lose sight of their dream while others wrap themselves in its security and refuse to see the truth.

3. 2. The Land as Wilderness • Unlike American literary themes of frontiersmanship and domination of the land, Canadian literature shows people attempting to live in harmony with nature with respect and loyalty to the land. • Nature has been customarily represented in literature in two ways: one that sees nature as threatening wilderness, and that belongs to the tradition inaugurated by colonial writers; the other, which sees nature as authentic, represents it as redeeming and promoting self-knowledge and healing, and which can be traced back to Aboriginal authors. • Characters who are born here or those who come from other nations share a pioneer spirit, an investment in the challenge of living in Canada.

4. 3. Emotion as Weakness • Characters in Canadian literature are often depicted as having trouble expressing themselves emotionally. They rationalize rather than emote, internalize rather than react and remain passive rather than acting in violence. Emotion is seen as a weakness by those characters unable to see its benefits.

5. 4. Isolation • In the face of an often harsh environment, in confusion of cultures, ill-equipped to interact, figures in Canadian literature often develop a sense of isolation from those around them or experience feelings of alienation from a society that appears indifferent to their situation.

6. 5. Search forIdentity • The country’s own struggle to define their identity is mirrored in the experiences of its literary characters who search for self-definition. Characters define and redefine themselves within a changing society, where the value systems of a new nation interact with the character’s own experiences, expectations and inevitable conflicts which arise.

7. Other minor themes... • These include theme relevant to Canadian society arising out of ethnic diversity, of prejudice and the blending of cultures. • The Issue of separatism, the centuries old conflict between French and English Canada and those affecting other regional matters.

8. Works Cited • Hammil, Faye. Canadian Literature. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2007: Print