Identity is a large concept with many factors. It is an amalgamation of personality, mannerisms, moral standing, spiritual or religious beliefs, ethnicity and/or culture, but it is often thought of as a “general sense of self”. One cannot put the “Canadian Identity” to any specific definition due to the number of variables that shape an individual’s sense of self, and the vast differences among individual people’s lives, due to the diversity among the Canadian citizens. There are many ways to be Canadian, it is almost absurd to think that all Canadians in all their different geographical locations, different families and communities, different jobs and religions and cultural practices, would experience the “Canadian Identity” in the same way. …show more content…
She describes a deeper connection to the land, and from the connection she derives an amplified presentness illustrated when she writes “This land is, my eyes my tongue my mouth” (Dumont line 6) and in her more present state she feels belonging and healing due to her higher emotional/spiritual connection to nature, which is well represented when she says the trees, ground and sky are “my prayer, my medicine and they become my dance.” (line 11). Marilyn describes the land as alive, and says that means so much more to her than to be “just a platform for my dance.” (line 14). The Idea of a higher presence/connection to the land is better described in words in the short story “Home Place” by Guy Vanderhae. The main Character Gil was a farmer who valued his land and his place among it more than anything, even his son’s happiness in life. He described himself as only existing properly when in the fields of his farm, even going so far as to say that “he felt more present in the land than he did in his own flesh, his own body. Apart from it he had no real existence.” (Vanderhae 22). Gil loved his land so much he named it the “home place” and wanted his lineage to be connected to his property too, so he was happy to give his son some land as a marriage gift, even saying that it brought him such “great satisfaction to see it pass from father to son.” (22) Later when his son expressed his unhappiness within his marriage and his desire for divorce, Gil immediately thinks to how the marriage laws could cause them to lose the farm and he instantly felt as if his own body was in harm’s way “The realization of what might lie ahead was like an attack of some kind” (24)
of the main reasons we lack a Canadian identity, because we as Canadians do not
Quebec’s social identity and defining characteristics contradict and conflict with those of rest of Canada. Since the genesis of our country, the political, social disagreements, and tensions between Quebec and the rest of Canada have been unavoidable. Utilizing Hiller’s key contradictions in the analysis of a Canadian society, we will compare and contrast the nature of the societal identity in Quebec compared to that of rest of Canada, emphasising on the major differences and tensions between the province and the rest of the country.
When asking some of my friends why they would often say that their families all still spoke their native language or that they lived in a community which a lot of people still spoke the language as well. This is why it’s hard to describe a Canadian identity. We are a very diverse country that celebrates differences. I don’t think there is one Canadian Identity, I think everyone has their own that is influenced by the many different cultural identities that we celebrate in
Is Canada a nation or has its control just switched empirical hands? As Professor Hutcheson asked, did Canada go from "Colony to Nation or Empire to Empire?" This question has greatly influenced Canada's changing identity since her birth as a British colony with Confederation in 1867 to the present day. The purpose of this essay is to critically analyse the shifting Canadian identities between the years 1890 to 1960. The objective is to illustrate Canada's transforming identity by using the novels The Imperialist by Sara Jeanette Duncan, Barometer Rising by Hugh MacLennan, and Fifth Business by Robertson Davies and to connect the stories of each of these works of fiction to the varying political, economic, and social issues of their times. Each book is written by a prominent author, and portrays an accurate reflection of the demanding political, economic, and social concerns throughout the late nineteen and first half of the twentieth century of Canadian history. All of the novels reflect Canada's peripheral view of the world, as opposed to a central point of view, because throughout its history Canada has always been perceived as a secondary player. As George Grant says in his literary piece Lament for a Nation, Canada is "a branch plant society" , meaning Canada is controlled by another power. The essential question is where has Canada's loyalties traditionally lay and how has this shaped the Canadian identity. The Imperialist by Sara Jeanette Duncan, written in 1904 reflects a very British influenced Canada. At this time, Canada is still a British colony under British rule, and the people of Canada are very content to consider themselves British. The novel predominately ill...
Stroink, M, & Lalonde, R. (2009). Bicultural identity conflict in second-generation asian canadians. The Journal of Social Psychology, 149(1), 44-65
One of the most contentious issues in Canada’s history is that of the Metis. Some people feel this unique group of people does not deserve any sort of recognition, whereas others believe their unique history and culture is something to be recognized and cherished. The history of the Metis people is filled with struggle; not only struggles against other powers, but also a struggle for self-identification. Despite strong opposition, the Metis people of Canada have matured as a political force and have taken great strides towards being recognized as a unique people.
She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves. ( This description of the scenery is very happy, usually not how one sees the world after hearing devastating news of her husbands death.)
payment for our country, free trade. All in all we have our own government, our
Throughout Canada’s relatively short existence we have created quite a reputation for ourselves. Our great nation is known for many things , and I am proud to say that most are positive. Does Canada have a strong national identity? Anyone can see the answer is yes. Just take a look at the facts. For example, we are renowned for our peacekeepers and no other country is considered more peaceful. Without a doubt this is the type of identity we should work to keep.
What does it mean to be a Canadian? What are the common values shared by the Canadian citizens? Denise Chong, who was an economic advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister, delivered the speech “Being Canadian” during the Canadian citizenship week, 1995. She explains in this speech the importance of Canadian citizenship, the values shared by the Canadians and how to strengthen the Canadian values.
Once she has conquered the washing line and is swinging on it, she feels as sense of flying. “The earth spins below me. I am flying.” As the author is describing her backyard there are many lines that help get the character’s perspective across to the responder. These lines include; “Other foliage; a bush with red berries, a struggling sapling, surround the patchy lawn like spectators.”.
Finally, if the comparison were ever made a survey, it would really show the full scale of Americanization in Canada. But until now we can only see from the daily life, how American culture is inviting Canada. Today more then ever, Canadians are in real danger of loosing their national identity. It is unfortunate that if the study of this cultural influence will be done few years later, it might be too late to save Canadian culture and identity.
The culture of Canada refers to the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that are a representative of Canada and Canadians. Throughout Canada's history, its culture has been influenced by American culture because of a shared language, proximity, television and migration between the two countries. Over time, Canadian-American relations have helped develop Canada’s identity during the years 1945-1982; thus introducing changing social norms, media and entertainment. In support of this, due to the United States being approximately 9.25 times larger in population and having the dominant cultural and economic influence, it played a vital role in establishing Canada’s identity. With Canada being its neighbour, naturally, the United States would influence their way of life upon Canada.
Her knowledge of rural life is shown, by describing details of animals such as, “eel-thin belly”, “life as loose as frogs”, “slag heaps stand like sentries shot dead”, and “I'm going home with the light hand on the reins”. Next in her poem, “How It is”, she puts on a blue jacket that belonged to her recently deceased friend, whom played a major role in her life. By putting on the jacket, she tries to relive the past by, “.unwind(ing) it, paste it together in a different collage.”. In this poem, Maxine Kumin, uses plants to describe her feelings, as in “scatter like milkweed” and “pods of the soul”. These similes show what she sees and feels. “The Longing to be Saved”, is a dream, where her barn catches fire.
The man who raised him, Gamiche, has passed, so Gilma is leaving the plantation only to take his beloved horse with him. When he is stopped by Septime, Gamiche’s nephew, Gilma was told to leave the horse there, which he did so. “But Monsieur Gamiche had taught him prudence and respect for the law” (Chopin 160). Rather than argue about it, Gilma simply began walking to town so he could see a lawyer about getting his horse back from Septime. Upon arrival, he learns that he is the sole heir of the property and everything on it. Gilma is excited to be taking over the plantation, but being the man he is, he cannot in good heart take the property from Gamiche’s blood relatives. “Dead men’s shoes! Were they not for such afflicted beings as Septime? as that helpless, dependant woman up their? as those two little ones, with their poorly fed, poorly clad bodies and sweet, appealing eyes?” (Chopin 164-165). Rather than take the plantation from Septime and the others, Gilma legally turned it over to them and only took his horse and a picture of Gamiche. Gilma was a good man from beginning to end of this story, and although he owned it all, he still only wanted his beloved horse and a picture to remember