What are some major concerns that dominate 20th century Canadian Literature? Give a reasoned answer.
Solution
The writing that was produced in Canada throughout the 20th century is distinguished by a number of significant topics that predominate in the literary landscape. The quest for a unique Canadian identity, the fight for cultural and political sovereignty, the interaction between the person and the natural landscape, and the portrayal of underrepresented groups are some of these issues.
The quest for a uniquely Canadian identity is one of the primary preoccupations that permeate the canon of Canadian writing produced throughout the 20th century. Throughout the 20th century, writers from Canada have struggled with the subject of what it means to be Canadian and how to establish a unique literary voice that represents the many experiences and points of view of the Canadian people. These questions have been at the center of their work. The works of authors like Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, and Michael Ondaatje, who have examined issues of nationhood, belonging, and the complexity of Canadian identity, make this concern abundantly clear.
The fight for cultural and political sovereignty is another significant theme that emerges often in Canadian literature written throughout the 20th century. For a very long time, the dominant culture of the United States has exerted an impact on Canadian literature. As a result of this influence, many Canadian authors have attempted to demonstrate their own cultural and political autonomy. This issue is made clear in the works of authors such as Margaret Laurence and Gabrielle Roy, who have investigated the experiences of disadvantaged groups such as Indigenous peoples, as well as the hardships of immigrants and other minority groups.
Another key theme that predominates in the canon of Canadian literature from the 20th century is the connection that exists between the human being and the natural environment. Many Canadian authors have investigated the connection that exists between people and the natural environment in their writing, which has given Canadian literature its well-deserved reputation for having a profound connection to its setting. The writings of authors such as W.O. Mitchell and Farley Mowat, who have investigated the interaction between people and the natural world, as well as the influence that human actions have on the environment, make this issue abundantly clear.
In the literature of the 20th century in Canada, one of the most important concerns is the portrayal of underrepresented communities. Many authors in Canada have made it their mission to tell the stories and share the points of view of members of underrepresented communities, such as Indigenous people, immigrants, and members of other minority groups. This issue is made clear in the works of authors such as Tomson Highway and Dionne Brand, who have investigated the hardships of immigrants and other minorities in Canadian culture, as well as the experiences of Indigenous peoples.
In conclusion, a number of important concerns that predominate the literary landscape are distinguished by the writing that was produced in Canada during the 20th century. The quest for a unique Canadian identity, the fight for cultural and political sovereignty, the interaction between the person and the natural landscape, and the portrayal of underrepresented groups are some of these issues. These themes are an essential aspect of the Canadian literary history because they represent the intricacies and variety of the Canadian experience and because they are a part of that heritage.