Overview
The journal assignment is meant to provide an additional opportunity for you to thoughtfully engage with the key topics in this course.
The topics are:
1. Ambiguity of Canadian Identity: With strong ties to Britain, many early Canadians struggled to find a sense of identity in the emergence of a rapidly evolving nation. The role of nature, social class, and local politics had profound implications on the early understanding of what is meant to be “Canadian.” Sarah Jeannette Duncan’s The Imperialist and Stephen Leacock’s satiric stories Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town depict both the nuance and the nothingness of their settings and the people who inhibit them.
2. The Freedom and Romance of the North: Whereas in the 19th century Canada represented a horrifying, barren wasteland to survive against, in the 20th Century we witness a shift – Canada represents an imaginative space or playground that brings freedom and new beginnings. From one of the most beloved Children’s novels (Anne of Green Gables) to the annually recited poem: “In Flanders Fields,” a reimagined Canada is celebrated.
3. Indigenous Voices and Cultural Appropriation: In a post-colonial nation, the Canadian literature cannon is characterized predominantly by settlers, while Indigenous people are misrepresented and left out of these early conversations. Early 20th century scholars, such as E. Pauline Johnson – a successful poet and entertainer, made important contributions to Indigenous and Canadian oral and written culture. Johnson fought against prejudicial ideas of race and gender at the time.
4. The Emergence of Modernism: The early 20th century provided an outlet for “new poetry.” Prominent poets include A.J.M. Smith, F.R. Scott, and A.M. Klein who began their long literary careers at this time. Emphasizing concrete images, open language, and free verse, the modern poet’s task was to identify, name, and take possession of the land.
5. Social Realism in the Prairies (and the Maritimes): Out of the Prairies emerged a novel of social realism, which documented the small, often narrow-minded farming communities pitted against an implacable nature. Martha Ostenso’s Wild Geese and Hugh MacLennon’s Barometer Rising use romance/realism to understand the role of the land and relationships to interpret Canadian identity and its implications.
The Assignment:
For this assignment, you will thoughtfully engage with each (all five of the topics listed above).
Journal entries should be about 300 words. Using additional sources is not allowed, You will be evaluated on how well the entry demonstrates engaged thinking by exploring complex issues, finding cruxes and problems, making meaningful connections, and navigating complexities.
Two approaches:
You may wish to approach these entries more pragmatically, thinking about which authors fit in the topic, or evaluating the implications the topic has had on Canada today.
For example, in responding to Topic 1: Ambiguity of Canadian Identity, you might briefly remark on Duncan’s view of the U.S. and Britain and how this influenced her portrayal of Canada in the novel, or comment on the gender roles in The Imperialist.
Another option is to respond creatively, writing as if you were situated in the novel or text you are discussing. For example, for Topic 5: Social Realism in the Prairies (and the Maritimes), you might consider yourself a character in Ostenso’s novel and discuss identity as you sit and stare at the vast open prairies or respond to any of the character’s dialogue.
i have provided a picture of the lecture topics in order to see the works that have been studied in class for u to choose from only cite those works no out side sources
