“Two Solitudes” is a term that has turned into a significant part of the vernacular of many Canadians. It is used to describe the relationship between the anglophones and francophones in Quebec and the rest of Canada. The metaphor became more popular, though, through MacLennan's seminal work titled Two Solitudes, about an intercultural family trying to maneuver themselves in and around the cultural undertow of Quebec during the 20th century. In Quebec's reality the historical term “two solitudes” has still been used today, and one can blame it on the exclusiveness of francophones and anglophones plus the way Quebec is still divided up in a “two solitude” fashion. Thus, in a fashion that transcends the symbolic impression of characterization—of seeing the 1945 Canada in Athanase Tallard, and viewing the new Canada through Paul Tallard—the novel alone epitomizes Canada.
Two Solitudes is an allegory for French and English Canada dating from 1917 to 1939—World War I and the beginning of World War II. MacLennan divided his novel into 4 significant parts. It is happening mostly during World War I, and a group of prototype characters relay the plot, being depictions of French Canadians, working-class businessmen, or Catholics during the set time period. The plot of this novel hones in on the day-to-day life of a fictional character named Paul Tallard, who battles with himself between the differences of his dual identities, English and French Canadian. Those struggles are what some Canadians face today. On top of that, MacLennan separates each chapter by a timeline, in chronicle form to highlight the truthfulness of Canada and its people's history in dichotomy especially.
The Canadian French-English dichotomy (or two solitudes) is...
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...that they no longer feel the need to quarrel over any issue. This segregated situation has been going on from before MacLennan wrote his book in 1945 to our present day 2014, and it has worsened instead of diminished over the years. With that said, one can surely say that the metaphor two solitudes is still relevant today because the term, as well as the book, is not only a historical one. The concept of it is brilliant in scope, and deeply apposite in its realism. However, MacLennan's purpose of The Two Solitudes was to highlight the signifiant history of his people and the relationship between Anglo and French Canada and explain to the world its importance. However, his true meaning of two solitude was definitely encompassed around the word “unity”. He wanted for us all to understand each other and love one another. But, this seems like it will never be the case.
Eden Robinson’s short story “Terminal Avenue” presents readers with the dystopian near-future of Canada where Indigenous people are subjugated and placed under heavy surveillance. The story’s narrator, Wil, is a young Aboriginal man who struggles with his own inner-turmoil after the suicide of his father and his brother’s subsequent decision to join the ranks of the Peace Officers responsible for “adjusting” the First Nations people. Though “Terminal Avenue” takes place in Vancouver there are clear parallels drawn between the Peace Officers of Robinson’s imagination and the Canadian military sent to enforce the peace during the stand-off at Oka, Quebec in 1990. In writing “Terminal Avenue” Robinson addresses the armed conflict and proposes
Most people are trapped into believing that Canada is a very diverse place to live as it welcomes many cultures, but do not realize what happens to their culture when they have lived in Canada after time. Throughout the stories Simple Recipes by Madeleine Thien and A Short History of Indians in Canada by Thomas King, the authors tell the actions of what is happening in the characters lives to show the stripping of other cultures when they come to Canada. These two stories reveal how difficult it can be to be a person with a different culture existing in Canadian society.
Although Quebec is in Canada, a majority of Quebecers do not identify with the national identity of Canada. Both societies create a sense of identity as well as nationalism (Hiller, 295). Hiller mentions two approaches to assessing Canadian identity; the unitary approach and the segmentalist approach (Hiller, 277). The unitary approach suggests that society consists of people who regardless of their ethnic back ground, identify as belonging to the national society, while the segmentalist approach concentrates on groups and communities that share racial, linguistic, occupational, or cultural similarities (Hiller, 28). While most Anglophones are more unitary or pan-Canadian, Quebec heavily identifies with the segmentalist approach. This dissimilarity of identity perspective may be problematic for the country, at the same time however, it can also be viewed as a struggle where contradictory parties find a way to compromise and reshape Canadian society together (Hiller, 277). Canada’s former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau made it his objective to unite Quebec with the rest of Canada. In 1969 Trudeau’s government implemented Bill C-120, otherwise known as the Official Language act, which made French an...
"Contact & Conflict: First Nations, French, & English in Canada." Canada's First Peoples. N.p., 2007. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. .
To decide what to do after Quebec separates, First Ministers and the ROC, must first look at why it happened. Perhaps Quebec's profound nationalism and unique national identity conflicted with citizens in the ROC; in order to gain understanding of their decision the ROC must look at Quebec's past. Quebec was not always treated fairly nor where they given many rights in regards t...
Thompson, John Herd, and Mark Paul Richard. "Canadian History in North American Context." In Canadian studies in the new millennium. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008. 37-64.
What do the works, “As Canadian as Possible under the Circumstances” and “I’m not the Indian you had in mind” have in common? The dissection of these writing pieces revealed that they do in fact have multiple similarities. Those ideas are the use of identity, stereotypes as well as double meanings.
Patriquin, M. (2014, April 11). The epic collapse of Quebec separatism. Retrieved May 15, 2014, from Maclean’s website: http://www.macleans.ca/politics/the-epic-collapse-of-separatism/
Throughout the 20th century, the Irish-Canadian community has been foundational to the evolution of Canada's national identity, whether it was with the leadership of Baie-Comeau's Brian Mulroney, whose historical legacy includes NAFTA or the Shamrock summit, or the ineradicable impact of the music groups from Eastern Canada on the country's cultural sphere. Despite having such a mark upon the country's growth, the cohabitation between Irish and Canadian populations was also one of struggle. This paper will explore some of the pivotal historical events, between the Irish and Canadian populations, in the 19th century.
Quinlan, Don, Doug Baldwin, Rick Mahoney, and Kevin Reed. The Canadian Challenge. N.p.: Oxford University Press, 2008.
The novel begins in the disillusioned atmosphere of post-World War Two America. Burris, a psychology professor and the main character of the novel, views his academic life with indifference, sharing this attitude toward teaching with his philosophy professor colleague, Castle. A former pupil of Burris, Rodge, and a fellow soldier, Steve, return from the war, and dissatisfied with what they are expected to do with their lives, approach Burris with a proposition. A former classmate of Burris’, Frazier, has started a utopian community by the name of Walden Two, and the two friends invite Burris and Castle to accompany them on a visit.
Many people across the globe argue that nationalism within Canada is simply not feasible. It is said that we as a people, differ so greatly with our diverse cultures, religions, and backgrounds that we cannot come together and exist together as a strong, united nation. In his book, Lament for a Nation, George Grant tells the reader that “…as Canadians we attempted a ridiculous task in trying to build a conservative nation in the age of progress, on a continent we share with the most dynamic nation on earth. The current history is against us.” (1965) Originally directed towards the Bomarc Missile Crisis, the book argues that whatever nationalism Canada had was destroyed by globalization as well as the powerful American sphere of influence. Although it is true that the book was initially written as a response to the events that took place in the late 1950s, many of the points are still valid today.
Believed by many to be one of the world’s greatest writers, Gabriel García Márquez is a Colombian-born author and journalist, winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature and a pioneer of the Latin American “Boom.” Affectionately known as “Gabo” to millions of readers, he first won international fame with his masterpiece, One Hundred Years of Solitude, a defining classic of twentieth century literature.
Since the very beginning of the colonization of Canada in the late 15th century, there has been a dispute and anger between the British and the French. This arguing is also present in the ongoing conflict between the French-speaking region of Quebec and the rest of Canada. The conflict has been discussed in the Canadian parliament and this is also the origin of the idea that Quebec should be an independent nation. The first part of the essay will cover the general history behind the dispute between Quebec and the rest of Canada. Then the essay will go on to discuss the positive and negative sides of a possible separation. The final part of the essay will compare the situation in Canada with the separation of Pakistan and East Pakistan in the 1970’s. Then go on to conclude whether or not a secession is possible for Quebec. Therefore, my research question is; is there a possibility that the province of Quebec could separate from the rest of Canada?
The novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude, takes place in Columbia during the time period from 1850 to 1950. The story is set in one main location, the fictional town of Macondo. Throughout the story, we learn the full history of the town, from its formation, to its eventual destruction. One of the main locations in this town, and one that the story frequently centers around, is the Buendia house. A large portion of the story takes place in this house, as it is home of the main characters, the Buendia family. Several rooms, such as the Meliquades’ room, are important parts of the story, and serve as locations that characters often visit. We follow the Buendia family as they live out their lives in Macondo. Besides Macondo, the story