Canadian Literature

Canadian literature is a repertoire of works that document a multicultural history, dual origins, and bilingualism of a country, which is as diverse in its cultural past as in its geography. It documents the diverse cultures and people of the country. Early works of Canadian literature reflected indigenous roots stretching back thousands of years, including Inuit tales from the Arctic and First Nations legends of the Pacific Northwest.

Let us learn more about Canadian Literature and Identity!

Candian Literature: Famous Works

Here’s a table featuring some famous Canadian literature works and their authors:

Work	Author	Genre
“Anne of Green Gables”	Lucy Maud Montgomery	Novel (Children’s)
“The Handmaid’s Tale”	Margaret Atwood	Novel (Dystopian)
“Life of Pi”	Yann Martel	Novel (Fantasy/Adventure)
“The Stone Angel”	Margaret Laurence	Novel
“The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz”	Mordecai Richler	Novel
“Fifth Business”	Robertson Davies	Novel
“In the Skin of a Lion”	Michael Ondaatje	Novel
“The Cat’s Table”	Michael Ondaatje	Novel
“Alias Grace”	Margaret Atwood	Novel
“Barney’s Version”	Mordecai Richler	Novel
“The Edible Woman”	Margaret Atwood	Novel
“The Blind Assassin”	Margaret Atwood	Novel
“A Complicated Kindness”	Miriam Toews	Novel
“The Orenda”	Joseph Boyden	Novel
“The Wars”	Timothy Findley	Novel
“The Diviners”	Margaret Laurence	Novel
“Obasan”	Joy Kogawa	Novel
“Half-Blood Blues”	Esi Edugyan	Novel
“The Shipping News”	E. Annie Proulx	Novel
“Through Black Spruce”	Joseph Boyden	Novel

Canadian Literature: History

The history of Canadian literature is intertwined with the socio-political developments that shaped the nation. The earliest examples consisted of explorers’ journals, chronicling geographic discoveries of the vast landscape. Notable works included Simon Fraser’s accounts of the 1806 expedition and Alexander Mackenzie’s documentation of westward routes. Initial colonial rule saw poetry and literature function as a tool of British cultural consolidation. With the arrival of United Empire Loyalists in the late 18th century, works portrayed immigrant experiences of settling in a new environment under colonial subjugation. Susanna Moodie’s “Roughing It in the Bush” captured the immigrant experience of this era.

As the Confederation began taking roots in 1867, uniting former British territories, a surge of nationalist poetry emerged celebrating this political milestone. Poets like Charles G D Roberts, Archibald Lampman and Bliss Carman imbued descriptions of Canadian scenery with a spirit of nation-building and identity formation.

The early 20th century witnessed experimentations with form and styles through Modernism. Writers delved into psychological and philosophical themes on existence and challenged orthodox styles. This included a Group of Seven painters applying similar techniques to depict the landscape.

Post-Second World War period saw debates around nationalism and cultural policy. Promulgation of multiculturalism in 1971 acknowledged the diversity of ethnicities. Authors highlighted the plurality of voices through characters with immigrant origins. Contemporary Canadian literature confidently asserts a decolonized vision, representing plural senses of belonging through genres like graphic novels, and emphasizing inclusivity. Ongoing reconciliation with Indigenous communities is a major contemporary influence.

Canadian Literature: Themes & Contexts

Canadian literature has engaged with various impactful themes that have contextualized the writing within the nation’s political and social climates. Some of the most prominent themes explored include –

1. Sense of Place – Early settler writings focused on documenting unfamiliar landscapes and geography to understand the new land. Later poetry fused descriptions of nature with expressions of cultural nationalism. A strong connection between land and identity emerged.
2. Colonial Past – Post-Confederation works delved into history and addressed complex realities of colonialism. Authors critiqued dominant colonial narratives and asserted a decolonized sense of self.
3. Immigration and Multiculturalism – Novels portrayed immigrant experiences of adapting to new environments and negotiating hyphenated identities. They engaged with Canada’s evolving policies on diversity and highlighted experiences of ethnic communities.
4. Quest for Nationhood – Patriotic poems in late 1800s and nationalist fiction in 1900s were set against the backdrop of Canada’s constitutional evolution. They explored what it means to be a citizen of the nascent nation.
5. Gender and Social Issues – Feminist writings addressed women’s roles and representation in society. Works also engaged with issues like indigenous rights, rural life and urbanization trends affecting the culture.
6. Historical and Cultural Memory – Authors resurrected untold histories of overlooked communities and reconciled them with dominant narratives. Memory-based novels questioned how identities are shaped by preserving or erasing past.

The interplay of these pertinent themes and changing political-cultural contexts of the nation have defined Canadian literature’s character and how it portrays evolving senses of belonging.

“Identity” as a Recurring Theme in Canadian Literature

The theme of ‘identity’ is a recurring leitmotif in Canadian literature throughout history. Early settler writings were preoccupied with establishing identity in a new unfamiliar landscape. These writings strived to define Canada through regional immigrant experiences and celebrate the landscape. Novelists minutely documented the challenges of forging a new identity on foreign land through the eyes of immigrants. Susanna Moodie’s “Roughing it in the Bush” portrayed her trials of adjusting to an unfamiliar climate and way of life. Similarly, traumatic experiences of displacement and cultural changes faced by newcomers are evident in Michael Ondaatje’s “In the Skin of a Lion“.

As the nation started taking shape, poetry reflected the quest for a national Canadian character. Confederation poets like Lampman, Roberts and Scott imbued landscape descriptions with patriotic spirit to foster a collective identity. Their works explored relations between the individual and the emerging nationhood. Even today, many literary works continue unpacking ideas of multicultural identity versus founding cultures.

Canadian Literature: Novels, Books & Poems

Get a snapshot of popular works of Canadian Literature in the table given below –

Canadian Literature Novels, Books & Poems
S.No.	Book/Poem/Novel	Author	Description
1.	Anne of Green Gables	Lucy Maud Montgomery	A beloved series highlighting rural life in Prince Edward Island in the early 20th century through the eyes of Anne Shirley. It brought Canadian literature to international prominence.
2.	The Diviners	Margaret Laurence	A series of five novels chronicling Morag Gunn’s life story and the settling of Manitoba. It explores themes of feminism, dislocation and the Scottish-Canadian experience.
3.	The Orenda	Joseph Boyden	A historical fiction exploring the conflict between the Huron and Iroquois nations in the 17th century through three distinct perspectives. It brings an Indigenous lens to understanding colonial impacts.
4.	The English Patient	Michael Ondaatje	A legendary work weaving together the complex personal histories of four people in an Italian villa just after World War 2. It highlights themes of love, betrayal, loss and recovery through fragmentation.
5.	Lives of Girls and Women	Alice Munro	A collection of short stories depicting lives of women in Southwestern Ontario between the 1940s and 60s. Munro’s sharp observations of small-town experiences earned her the Nobel Prize in Literature.
6.	Reflections of a Siamese Twin	Jesse Browner	A verse novel reimagining the true story of Chang and Eng Bunker, the famous conjoined twins from Siam. It examines identity, destiny and our common humanity.
7.	Islands	E.J. Pratt	An epic poem centered around the exploration of Newfoundland and how human hardship and achievement are shaped by place. It articulated the need to develop a unique Canadian culture.
8.	Lady Oracle	Margaret Atwood	A comic novel about a Woman who adopts multiple personas as mystery writer, rebellious young woman and ardent radical. It highlights issues of self-identity and feminism.
9.	The Stone Angel	Margaret Laurence	This book considers themes of pride, arrogance and human fallibility through 90-year-old Hagar Shipley adjusting to old age in 1960s Manitoba.
10.	Bear	Marian Engel	A poetic novel depicting a lesbian relationship between a world-weary writer and a young Native woman living alone in the woods. It challenged conventions.

Canadian Literature: Major Characteristics

Canadian literature has developed some distinctive characteristics that distinguish it from other Commonwealth literatures. Some of the major characteristics of Canadian Literature are given below –

• One of the major characteristics is the strong sense of place that is embedded in Canadian literature. Whether it is the vast prairies, dense forests or Atlantic coastline, Canadian writers lavishly describe the diverse landscapes and evoke a vivid sense of location. The interplay between characters and their natural surroundings is expertly brought out.
• Related to this is the aspect of regional diversity within Canadian literature. Rather than uniformizing diverse cultures into one, authors delve into the local flavors and identities of each region – from the Maritimes to Quebec and the Prairies. This adds nuanced layering to works of Canadian literature.
• Being an officially bilingual country, code-switching between English and French is also common. Some writers freely compose in both languages.
• Post-colonial introspection is another recurring theme found in literary texts originating in Canada. Many works engage with questioning Canada’s colonial legacies and politics of bordering the US.
• Themes of cultural adaptations faced by immigrants and evolving multiculturalism are also frequently explored. Modernist experimentation with form and style was pioneered by early 20th century Canadian authors. Writings blend magical realism intended to represent pre-colonial Indigenous worldviews.
• A deft use of humor runs through several works of Canadian Literature, with works exhibiting a delightful self-deprecation when portraying colonial foibles or eccentric, amusing characters.

These characteristics combined with insightful social commentary give Canadian literature a distinct identity of its own on the global literary map.

Also read about Canadian Cultures & Traditions

List of Famous Canadian Poets & Authors

The repertoire of Canadian Literature encompasses works by eminent and award-winning authors, poets and novelists whose works have portrayed intricate scoops from the fraught history of the country. The following are some of the most popular writers of Canadian Literature along with their renowned works –

S.No.	Poet/Author	Description	Famous Works
1.	Margaret Atwood	Margaret Atwood is a prolific Canadian poet and author who is internationally renowned for her works that often explore dystopian societies and issues related to gender, power and the environment.	The Handmaid’s Tale, The Blind Assassin The Circle Game poetry collection The Journals of Susanna Moodie
2.	Alice Munro	Alice Munro is a highly acclaimed Canadian short story writer who is considered a master of the genre and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013, particularly for her ability to capture ordinary lives.	Dance of the Happy Shades Lives of Girls and Women Too Much Happiness
3.	Michael Ondaatje	Michael Ondaatje is a Sri Lankan-Canadian author and poet known for his works that seamlessly blend fiction and poetry to explore themes of history, identity and memory.	The English Patient, In the Skin of a Lion Divisadero Warlight
4.	Leonard Cohen	Leonard Cohen was an influential Canadian singer-songwriter, musician and poet renowned for his introspective and romantic themes that incorporated religious and spiritual symbolism.	Flowers for Hitler Death of a Lady’s Man Beautiful Losers
5.	E.J. Pratt	E.J. Pratt was a Canadian poet celebrated for his lengthy narrative poems that brought to life historical subjects and events, particularly related to nation-building in Canada.	Towards the Last Spike about building the Canadian Pacific Railway The Titanic The Roosevelt and the Antinoe
6.	Dionne Brand	Dionne Brand is a renowned Canadian writer and poet who often addresses themes of feminism, identity and the African diaspora experience.	Ossuaries Land to Light On Inventory
7.	F.R. Scott	F.R. Scott was an influential Quebec poet, author, jurist and social activist based in Montreal during the 20th century.	Flame and Shadow The White Image
8.	Earle Birney	Earle Birney was a prolific Canadian poet best known for his poems exploring connections between nature, politics and history with themes of alienation.	“David” “Ghost in the Wheels”
9.	Gwendolyn MacEwen	Gwendolyn MacEwen was a Canadian poet influenced by surrealism who wrote evocative works drawing on mythology, mysticism and feminist perspectives.	The Shadow-Maker Doorways in the Sand Mysteries of the Incomprehensible
10.	Pauline Johnson	Pauline Johnson was a Canadian poet from the Mohawk First Nation who wrote poetry sharing perspectives on indigenous life.	The White Wampum Canadian Born

Conclusion

Canadian literature has played an important role in shaping the country’s cultural identity over the decades. Through their evocative works, authors have captured the diverse experiences that make up the Canadian mosaic. Whether describing the frontier spirit in rugged Western landscapes or the immigrant experience of settling in new urban communities, their portrayals have helped Canadians understand themselves and each other. Indigenous writers in particular have given vital voices to First Nations perspectives. As the nation continues embracing multiculturalism, new generations of writers continue enriching and complexifying what it means to be Canadian on the world stage. Works highlighting themes of cultural belonging, political changes, and the relationship with nature and the land will likely remain defining features of Canadian literature for years to come.

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Canadian Literature FAQs

What were the early influences on Canadian literature?

The early influences came from the settler writings of British, French and American migrants who documented their journeys of exploration and settlement in Canada. Works by Simon Fraser, Alexander Mackenzie shed light on geography of vast wilderness. Diary writings by settlers like Frances Brooke, Susanna Moodie captured immigrant experiences.

How did Canadian literature engage with the theme of national identity?

In late 19th century, as the Confederation took shape, writers actively engaged with defining Canadian identity and nationhood. Poetry celebrated the landscape and spirit of the new dominion. Novels explored regional cultures and immigrant experiences. Works strove to assert a unique Canadian character, distinct from British and American literary traditions.

What role did multiculturalism play in Canadian literature?

As Canada adopted multiculturalism as an official policy in 1971, literature reflected on diversity and pluralism as defining aspects of the national character. Works by authors with diverse ethnic backgrounds like Rohinton Mistry, Michael Ondaatje brought in regional varieties. They highlighted issues like cultural hybridity, questioning inherent biases in definitions of a monolithic Canadian identity.

How did Canadian authors assert cultural independence?

While early works were under the shadow of British influences, authors after 1960s confidently asserted a post-colonial Canadian consciousness. Margaret Atwood, Robertson Davies, Alice Munro crafted stories with distinctive Canadian settings and characters. They gained international recognition, shifting focus from Britain/US to celebrate uniqueness of Canadian experience.

What lasting impact has Canadian literature created?

Canadian literature has played a significant role in shaping discourse around Canadian national identity. It has chronicled the journey from colonies to a unified and pluralistic nation. Works of Canadian Literature going forward, attempt reconciling diverse ethnic identities with concepts of citizenship. Literature helps Canadians better understand their complex history and belong to a multicultural society.