Canadian Content is Lit!
As a self-proclaimed hoser literature expert, senior students often search me out for recommendations for their Canadian novel studies and I’m ALWAYS happy to help. I’ll ask them a series of questions (likes, dislikes, favourite poutine toppings, type of Tragically Hip song they prefer, etc.) and, after some deep thought, I’ll match them to the perfect book for their personalities. Okay … it doesn’t actually happen exactly like this. Truth be told, I’m usually the catalyst of the discussions. On the first day of every semester, I’ll ask my grade twelves if they realize they’ll be required to do an independent Canadian novel study for their English class before seamlessly transitioning into a lecture on my favourite Canadian authors and their books. It sometimes stretches out over two or three classes … which would be okay if I was the senior English teacher … but I’m not … so I should probably spend that time teaching the classes I’ve been tasked with teaching before they actually give me a senior English class. Shudder. Just the thought of all that marking scares me … which brings me here. I’ve decided instead to share a few of my all time favourites of the genre to help out my students. You’re welcome, kids! We’ll start with a novel I would argue is one of the most Canadian reads of all time – Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
Life of Pi is the story of Pi Patel, an Indian teen who, after a maritime disaster, finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean with some very dangerous boatmates. In fact, one member of this cast of castaways is a giant Bengal tiger! I know … other than the author being a citizen of our fine country, this book doesn’t sound very Canadian but, if you examine it further, you’ll find the prototypical Canadian narrative. Here we have the story of an immigrant’s journey to Canada to find a better life. And Pi is no ordinary immigrant! He embodies the Canadian hope for a truly multicultural society. Pi is the mosaic! He’s a practising Hindu, Christian, and Muslim! Still not Canadian enough for you? Well … do you know what the oldest theme of Canadian literature is? It’s survival, and Pi’s story of survival at sea will move you on a deeply spiritual level. You may have your eye on another Canadian survival story – Lost in the Barrens comes to mind – but … THIS … IS … THE … BETTER … STORY. Speaking of better stories, my next suggestion is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.
The Handmaid’s Tale takes place in a dystopian future that seems closer and closer with each turn of the page or news program watched and this is part of its value – it is arguably more relevant today than it was when it was released over thirty years ago. The story is set in the fictitious Republic of Gilead (formally the United States) where women suffer under a brutal regime hellbent on quelling all opposition, both foreign and domestic. The novel follows the life of Offred, a handmaid whose only tangible value lies in her ability to birth a child for her commander and his wife. It is from this life of servitude that she hopes to escape. To find out why this book is such a great example of Canadian literature, you only have to ask yourself one question: Escape to where? Canada, obviously. This novel really taps into our silent arrogance when it comes to our southern neighbours. We like to thumb our noses at our biggest ally even while simultaneously soaking up their culture so … it should come as no surprise that Canada survives after America collapses and, in fact, remains in some form even after Gilead falls because that is what we believe, consciously or not. It is, however, not the United States we should be wagging our fingers at disapprovingly. It is ourselves … and that brings me to my third suggestion – Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese.
Indian Horse is the story of Saul Indian Horse, a residential school student whose escape comes because of his gifts on the hockey rink. Unfortunately, Saul finds it impossible to outskate his past and it comes back to haunt him like an open-ice hit. Please note, you may not like my hockey analogies, but you WILL love Wagamese’s hard-hitting style. In fact, his hockey writing may be the best I’ve ever come across but it is the historical backdrop of the novel where you’ll find its most important theme for Canadians – reconciliation. If you don’t recognize the need to reconcile with Indigenous peoples, you will by the time you finish this novel. Without giving away a major plot point, it has a way of making the reader complicit in the entire residential school experience and this is an important first step on the road to true and meaningful reconciliation. This book should be mandatory reading in all Canadian high schools. Actually … all three should be.
Therefore, it is enforced order cheap viagra http://amerikabulteni.com/2011/08/12/iste-uzaylilarin-dunyaya-ilk-gelisinin-fragmani/ to take suggestion from your health care provider. Thankfully, the health condition is treatable with some useful levitra generika and effective supplements available in the market. It is cialis 5 mg truly a viable option to get rid of ED problems. Erectile dysfunction or purchase levitra online impotence is a sexual issue. Honestly, I could talk about Canadian literature for hours and I occasionally do but my senior Social Studies class isn’t always the best place for an impromptu three hour book talk so I tried this format instead. I hope it helps. I tried to choose titles that were not just Canadian, but offered uniquely Canadian perspectives and, more than anything, I believe … WAIT! Immigration and pluralism are themes in senior Social Studies! So are feminism and current events! Ditto reconciliation! I think I have a great idea for a cross-curricular project! I need to talk to our English teachers! This idea is going to be bigger than a Ryan Reynolds/Ryan Gosling double feature! I have to go plan!
H.
A Couple Honourable Mentions:
The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
Barney’s Version by Mordecai Richler
If you would like to add a book or two, please feel free to leave comments with your suggestions and brief summaries. I’m always looking for more great Canadian literature.
