Micheal Ondaatje's in the Skin of a Lion- Introduction - Canadian Literature
INTRODUCTION
Canadian Literature in English was first written during the time of The American Revolution. The American loyalists, who did not join the revolution, took refuge in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Upper Canada (Ontario). They gave a slight beginning to a literature. The Rev. Jonathan Odell (1737–1818) has a minor place in the literary history of his two countries as the writer of convivial lyrics and of satire on the Whig rebels. In the next generation the sons of the loyalists made a clear beginning of indigenous writing.
In 1867 the separate colonies of British North America joined in a federal union to form the Dominion of Canada, except the Prince Edward Island and the Western territories and Newfoundland. A growing sense of national identity preceded the federal union. This identity was cultivated by its accomplishment. Two decades after the federation Charles Mair (1838–1927), who spent most of his life in the west, found the theme for his verse drama Tecumseh (1886) in the history of Canada.
Historical romance is always a popular form in Canada. It is best represented in this period by The Golden Dog (1877) by William Kirby. Meanwhile, a considerable number of semi-literary periodicals appeared in Canada. The most notable periodicals were the Literary Garland (1838–1851), The Canadian Monthly (1872–1878) and The Nation (1874–1876). A little later the best of the periodicals, The Week (1883–1896), was founded by Goldwin Smith. The first editor of The Week was Charles G.D. Roberts who, with Bless Carman, Archibald Lampman and Duncan Campbell Scott wrote the best poetry composed in Canada before the 1920s. The themes of this poetry were based on religion, politics, nature against man and realistic violence in narrative and descriptive form.
Regional idylls and the tales of the frontier were popular types of best sellers. The best book of the period, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town (1912) by Stephen Leacock, is predominantly a
Canadian Literature in English was first written during the time of The American Revolution. The American loyalists, who did not join the revolution, took refuge in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Upper Canada (Ontario). They gave a slight beginning to a literature. The Rev. Jonathan Odell (1737–1818) has a minor place in the literary history of his two countries as the writer of convivial lyrics and of satire on the Whig rebels. In the next generation the sons of the loyalists made a clear beginning of indigenous writing.
In 1867 the separate colonies of British North America joined in a federal union to form the Dominion of Canada, except the Prince Edward Island and the Western territories and Newfoundland. A growing sense of national identity preceded the federal union. This identity was cultivated by its accomplishment. Two decades after the federation Charles Mair (1838–1927), who spent most of his life in the west, found the theme for his verse drama Tecumseh (1886) in the history of Canada.
Historical romance is always a popular form in Canada. It is best represented in this period by The Golden Dog (1877) by William Kirby. Meanwhile, a considerable number of semi-literary periodicals appeared in Canada. The most notable periodicals were the Literary Garland (1838–1851), The Canadian Monthly (1872–1878) and The Nation (1874–1876). A little later the best of the periodicals, The Week (1883–1896), was founded by Goldwin Smith. The first editor of The Week was Charles G.D. Roberts who, with Bless Carman, Archibald Lampman and Duncan Campbell Scott wrote the best poetry composed in Canada before the 1920s. The themes of this poetry were based on religion, politics, nature against man and realistic violence in narrative and descriptive form.
Regional idylls and the tales of the frontier were popular types of best sellers. The best book of the period, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town (1912) by Stephen Leacock, is predominantly a