Wikipedia

Canadian literature

Canadian literatureis written in several languages includingEnglish,French,and to some degree variousIndigenous languages.It is often divided into French- and English-language literatures, which are rooted in the literary traditions of France and Britain, respectively.[1]The earliest Canadian narratives were of travel and exploration.[2]

Indigenous literature

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Main article:Indigenous literatures in Canada

Indigenous peoples of Canada are culturally diverse.[3]Each group has its own literature, language and culture.[4][3]The term "Indigenous literature" therefore can be misleading, as writerJeannette Armstrongstates in one interview, "I would stay away from the idea of" Native "literature, there is no such thing. There isMohawkliterature, there isOkanaganliterature, but there is no generic Native in Canada ".[3]

French-Canadian literature

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Main article:Quebec literature
See also:List of French Canadian writers from outside Quebec,List of Quebec writers,andLiterature of Quebec

In 1802, the Lower Canada legislative library was founded. All books it contained were subsequently moved to the Canadian parliament in Montreal when the two Canadas, Lower and Upper, were united. On April 25, 1849 the Canadian parliament was burned along with thousands of French Canadian books and a few hundred English books. A consequence of this event was the mistaken impression that from the early settlements until the 1820s, Quebec had virtually no literature.

It was the rise of Quebec patriotism and the 1837Lower Canada Rebellion,in addition to a modern system of primary school education, which led to the rise of French-Canadian fiction.L'influence d'un livrebyPhilippe-Ignace-Francois Aubert de Gaspéis widely regarded as the first French-Canadian novel. The genres which first became popular were the rural novel and the historical novel. French authors were influential, especially authors likeBalzac.

Gabrielle Roywas a notable French Canadian author.

In 1866, FatherHenri-Raymond Casgrainbecame one of Quebec's first literary theorists. He argued that literature's goal should be to project an image of properCatholicmorality. However, a few authors likeLouis-Honoré FréchetteandArthur Buiesbroke the conventions to write more interesting works.

This pattern continued until the 1930s with a new group of authors educated at theUniversité Lavaland theUniversité de Montréal.Novels with psychological and sociological foundations became the norm.Gabrielle RoyandAnne Héberteven began to earn international acclaim, which had not happened to French-Canadian literature before. During this period, Quebec theatre, which had previously been melodramas and comedies, became far more involved.

French-Canadian literature began to greatly expand with the turmoil of theSecond World War,the beginnings of industrialization in the 1950s, and most especially theQuiet Revolutionin the 1960s. French-Canadian literature also began to attract a great deal of attention globally, withAcadiannovelistAntonine Mailletwinning thePrix Goncourtin 1979.[5]An experimental branch of Québécois literature also developed; for instance the poetNicole Brossardwrote in a formalist style. In 1979,Roch Carrierwrote the storyThe Hockey Sweater,which highlighted the cultural and social tensions betweenEnglishandFrenchspeaking Canada.

Before Confederation

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SistersSusanna MoodieandCatherine Parr Traillwrote several stories about their experiences inthe Canadas.

Because Canada only officially became a country following the unification, or 'confederation' of several colonies, including Upper and Lower Canada, into one nation on July 1, 1867, it has been argued that literature written before this time was colonial. The book often considered to be the first work of Canadian literature isThe History of Emily MontaguebyFrances Brooke,published in 1769. Brooke wrote the novel inSillery, Quebecfollowing theConquest of New France.Susanna MoodieandCatharine Parr Traill,English sisters who adopted the country as their own, moved toUpper Canadain 1832. They recorded their experiences as pioneers in Parr Traill'sThe Backwoods of Canada(1836) andCanadian Crusoes(1852), and Moodie'sRoughing It in the Bush(1852) andLife in the Clearings(1853). However, both women wrote until their deaths, placing them in the country for more than 50 years and certainly well past Confederation. Moreover, their books often dealt with survival and the rugged Canadian environment; these themes re-appear in other Canadian works, includingMargaret Atwood'sSurvival.Moodie and Parr Trail's sister,Agnes Strickland,remained in England and wrote elegant royal biographies, creating a stark contrast between Canadian and English literatures.

However, one of the earliest Canadian writers virtually always included in Canadian literary anthologies isThomas Chandler Haliburton(1796–1865), born and raised in Nova Scotia, who died just two years before Canada's official birth. He is remembered for his comic character, Sam Slick, who appeared inThe Clockmakerand other humorous works throughout Haliburton's life.

After 1867

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Charles G. D. Robertswas a poet that belonged to an informal group known as theConfederation Poets.

A group of poets now known as the "Confederation Poets",includingCharles G. D. Roberts,Archibald Lampman,Bliss Carman,Duncan Campbell Scott,andWilliam Wilfred Campbell,came to prominence in the 1880s and 1890s. Choosing the world of nature as their inspiration, their work was drawn from their own experiences and, at its best, written in their own tones.Isabella Valancy Crawford,Annie Campbell Huestis,Frederick George Scott,andFrancis Shermanare also sometimes associated with this group.

During this period,E. Pauline JohnsonandWilliam Henry Drummondwere writing popular poetry – Johnson's based on her part-Mohawkheritage, and Drummond, the Poet of the Habitant, writing dialect verse.

L. M. Montgomery's novelAnne of Green Gableswas first published in 1908. It has sold an estimated 50 million copies and is one of thebest selling booksworldwide.[6]

Between 1915 and 1925,Stephen Leacock(1869–1944) was the best selling humour writer in the world. His best known book of fiction,Sunshine Sketches of a Little Townwas published in 1912.

Three of Canada's most important post-World War I novelists wereHugh MacLennan(1907–1990),W.O. Mitchell(1914–1998), andMorley Callaghan(1903–1990). MacLennan's best-known works areBarometer Rising(1941),The Watch That Ends the Night(1957), andTwo Solitudes(1945), while Callaghan is best known forSuch Is My Beloved(1934),The Loved and the Lost(1951), andMore Joy in Heaven(1937). Mitchell's most-loved novel isWho Has Seen the Wind.

Perhaps reacting against a tradition that largely emphasized the wilderness and the small town and country experience,Leonard Cohenwrote the novelBeautiful Losers(1966). It was labelled by one reviewer "the most revolting book ever written in Canada".[7]In time, however, this novel was considered a Canadian classic. Despite beginning his career as a poet of major importance, Cohen is perhaps best known as a folk singer and songwriter, with an international following.

Canadian authorFarley Mowatis best known for his workNever Cry Wolf(1963) and his Governor General's Award-winning children's book,Lost in the Barrens(1956).

Following World War II, writers such as Mavis Gallant, Mordecai Richler, Norman Levine, Sheila Watson, Margaret Laurence and Irving Layton added to the Modernist influence in Canadian literature previously introduced byF. R. Scott,A. J. M. Smithand others associated with theMcGill Fortnightly.This influence, at first, was not broadly appreciated.Norman Levine'sCanada Made Me,[8]a travelogue that presented a sour interpretation of the country in 1958, for example, was widely rejected.

After 1967, the country's centennial year, the national government increased funding to publishers and numerous small presses began operating throughout the country.[9] The best-known Canadian children's writers include L. M. Montgomery and Monica Hughes.

Contemporary Canadian literature: After 1967

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Arguably, the best-known living Canadian writer internationally (especially since the deaths ofRobertson DaviesandMordecai Richler) isMargaret Atwood,a prolific novelist, poet, and literary critic. Other great 20th-century Canadian authors includeMargaret Laurence,Mavis Gallant,Michael Ondaatje,Carol Shields,Alistair MacLeod,Mazo de la Roche,andGabrielle Roy.

Short story writerAlice Munrowon theNobel Prize in Literaturein 2013.

This group, along with Nobel LaureateAlice Munro,who has been called the best living writer of short stories in English,[10]were part of a 'new wave' of Canadian writers, some starting their careers in the 1950s. The first to elevate Canadian Literature to the world stage were Lucy Maud Montgomery, Stephen Leacock, Mazo de la Roche, and Morley Callaghan. During the post-war decades Canadian literature, as were Australian and New Zealand literature, viewed as an appendage to British Literature. When academicClara Thomasdecided in the 1940s to concentrate on Canadian literature for her master's thesis, the idea was so novel and so radical that word of her decision reachedThe Globe and Mailbooks editorWilliam Arthur Deacon,who then personally reached out to Thomas to pledge his and the newspaper's resources in support of her work.[11]

Other major Canadian novelists includeCarol Shields,Lawrence Hill,andAlice Munro.Carol ShieldsnovelThe Stone Diarieswon the 1995Pulitzer Prize for Fiction,and another novel,Larry's Party,won theOrange Prizein 1998.Lawrence Hill'sBook of Negroeswon the 2008Commonwealth Writers' PrizeOverall Best Book Award, whileAlice Munrobecame the first Canadian to win theNobel Prize in Literaturein 2013.[12]Munro also received theMan Booker International Prizein 2009.

In the 1960s, a renewedsense of nationhelped foster new voices in Canadian poetry, including:Margaret Atwood,Michael Ondaatje,Leonard Cohen,Eli MandelandMargaret Avison.Others such asAl Purdy,Milton Acorn,andEarle Birney,already published, produced some of their best work during this period.

TheTISHPoetry movement in Vancouver brought about poetic innovation fromJamie Reid,George Bowering,Fred Wah,Frank Davey,Daphne Marlatt,David Cull, andLionel Kearns.

The formerCanadian Parliamentary Poet LaureateGeorge Elliott Clarke(2015)

Canadian poets have been expanding the boundaries of originality:Christian Bök,Ken Babstock,Karen Solie,Lynn Crosbie,Patrick Lane,George Elliott ClarkeandBarry Dempsterhave all imprinted their unique consciousnesses onto the map of Canadian imagery.

A notable anthology of Canadian poetry isThe New Oxford book of Canadian Verse,edited by Margaret Atwood (ISBN0-19-540450-5).

Anne Carsonis probably the best known Canadian poet living today. Carson in 1996 won theLannan Literary Awardfor poetry. The foundation's awards in 2006 for poetry, fiction and nonfiction each came with $US 150,000.

Canadian authors who have won international awards

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Nobel Prize in Literature

International Booker Prize

  • Alice Munro (2009)

Booker Prize

Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

National Book Critics Circle Award

International Dublin Literary Award

Orange Prize

Commonwealth Writers' Prize

Peace Prize of the German Book Trade

  • Margaret Atwood (2017)

Awards

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There are a number of notable Canadian awards for literature:

Awards For Children's and Young Adult Literature:

Further reading

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See also

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References

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  1. ^Keith, W. J. (2006).Canadian Literature in English.The Porcupine's Quill.p. 19.ISBN978-0-88984-283-0.
  2. ^R.G. Moyles, ed. (28 September 1994).Improved by Cultivation: English-Canadian Prose to 1914.Broadview Press. pp. 15–.ISBN978-1-55111-049-3.OCLC1016305898.
  3. ^abcEigenbrod, Renate; et al. (2003)."Aboriginal Literatures in Canada: A Teacher's Resource Guide A Teacher's Resource Guide"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2016-09-10.Retrieved2019-11-05.
  4. ^"Culture".indigenousfoundations.adm.arts.ubc.ca.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-03-24.Retrieved2017-03-21.
  5. ^"Tous les lauréats".
  6. ^ReutersArchived2010-01-13 at theWayback MachineonAnne of Green Gables:""Anne of Green Gables "has sold more than 50 million copies and been translated into 20 languages, according to Penguin." (19 March 2008)
  7. ^Who held a gun to Leonard Cohen's head?Tim de Lisle, Guardian Online, retrieved 11 October 2006.
  8. ^"Norman Levine".Independent.co.uk.20 June 2005.Retrieved2017-08-20.
  9. ^"Small Presses in the 1960s and 1970s".The Canadian Encyclopedia.Archived fromthe originalon 2009-03-04.Retrieved2008-01-26.
  10. ^"For a long time Alice Munro has been compared with Chekhov; John Updike would add Tolstoy, and AS Byatt would say Guy de Maupassant and Flaubert. Munro is often called the best living writer of short stories in English; the words" short story "are frequently dropped."Riches of a Double Life,Ada Edemariam, Guardian Online, retrieved 11 October 2006.
  11. ^"Author and educator Clara Thomas was a relentless advocate of CanLit".The Globe and Mail,November 28, 2013.
  12. ^"Nobel-winner Alice Munro hailed as 'master' of short stories".Cbc.ca.Retrieved2017-08-20.
  13. ^"Canadian Authors Association Literary Awards".Canadian Authors.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-04-25.Retrieved2014-04-24.
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