This paper examines the way in which Hugh MacLennan incorporates elements of Canadian identity into his renowned novel The Watch That Ends The Night.
Firstly, an attempt to define the terminology that is essential for the understanding of this paper will be made. Moreover, rather complex phenomena such as ‘identity’ or ‘nation’ will be briefly discussed whilst taking into account influential works such as Anderson’s Imagined Communities. Having introduced the terminology, this paper will be concerned with the question of how these concepts can be applied to the situation in Canada. On that point, the relevance of national identity for Canada will be debated. In order to do so, Canadian nationalism will be taken into consideration. Then, MacLennan’s The Watch That Ends The Night will be examined, taking into account the different elements of identity constitution to be found in the novel. Thereby, the aspects of Canadian identity will revolve around the main themes of history, politics and religion.
The significance of the thematization of national identity in MacLennan's novel shall be discussed as well as the novel’s impact.
The central thesis of this paper is that in his The Watch That Ends The Night, Hugh MacLennan utilizes Canada’s involvement in an international conflict as well as the nation’s history during the early twentieth century in order to establish a sense of national identity among the readers.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Methodology
1.2 Current state of research
2. What is (national) identity?
2.1 Definitions, explanation of theoretical framework
2.2 National identity and nationalism in Canada
3. Aspects of Canadian Identity in The Watch That Ends The Night
3.1 History
3.1.1 World War 2 as an international conflict
3.1.2 Post-colonialism and distinction from Great Britain
3.2 Political idealism in the 1930s
3.3 Religion
3.3.1 The role of faith in The Watch That Ends The Night
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Objectives and Themes
This paper aims to investigate how Hugh MacLennan constructs Canadian national identity in his novel "The Watch That Ends The Night." By analyzing the intersection of history, politics, and religious faith, the study explores the thesis that MacLennan utilizes the nation's 20th-century history and international conflicts as instruments to foster a collective sense of Canadian identity among his readers.
- The role of literature in identity formation and "imagined communities."
- The influence of Canada’s post-colonial development and its distinction from Great Britain.
- The impact of international conflicts (World War II) on national consciousness.
- Political idealism during the 1930s and its reflection of the nation's maturation.
- The function of religious faith and spiritual search as a foundation for individual and national stability.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 History
In The Watch That Ends The Night, Hugh MacLennan makes use of flashbacks to tell the stories of the three main characters during the early nineteenth century. As Mathews asserts, “MacLennan consciously uses documentary and chronicle forms, closely connecting the larger history surrounding the actions of the characters in his novels” (Mathews 1996). In the following, the way in which MacLennan uses history as a tool to narrate the history of a Canadian nation will be examined.
After having talked to Jerome, whom he believed to be dead, memories of the past seem to befall George, the protagonist. He finds himself wondering: What is time anyway? The past seemed part of the present today. Time had lost its shape. Time is a cloud in which we live while the breath is in us. When was I living, now or twenty-five years ago, or in all those periods of my life simultaneously? (MacLennan, 2009: 88)
The fact that George seems to have lost track of time suggests that he has not moved on since he last saw Jerome. Being reminded of Jerome is a catalyst for George to revel in the past. By comparing time to a cloud, it becomes clear that George feels as if time is nothing but a mere illusion. Given the fact that George has just received the news that Jerome has been alive all these years, it seems understandable that George questions the reality he has experienced. However, George’s feelings of stagnation could also be applied to the situation in all of Canada. In contrast to that, Jerome expresses that “things have changed. The whole country seems to have changed” (MacLennan 2009: 14).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the study, the research methodology, and the current state of academic research concerning Hugh MacLennan’s literary contributions to Canadian identity.
2. What is (national) identity?: This section establishes the theoretical framework by defining identity and nationalism, drawing on influential scholars like Benedict Anderson, and discussing the specific context of Canada’s multicultural "ethnic mosaic."
3. Aspects of Canadian Identity in The Watch That Ends The Night: This main chapter analyzes how historical events, the transition from British colonial influence, political movements of the 1930s, and religious faith are woven into the narrative to shape Canadian national character.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes how MacLennan uses his novel as an allegory for Canada’s maturation as a sovereign nation and affirms the importance of faith and collective history in forming national identity.
5. Bibliography: Lists all primary and secondary sources used for the analysis of MacLennan’s work and the theoretical concepts of identity.
Keywords
Canadian identity, Hugh MacLennan, The Watch That Ends The Night, Post-colonialism, Nationalism, Literature, Identity formation, Imagined communities, Ethnic mosaic, World War II, Political idealism, Religion, Canada, History, Sovereignty
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper fundamentally examines how Hugh MacLennan integrates themes of Canadian identity into his novel "The Watch That Ends The Night," treating the narrative as an allegory for Canada's national development.
What are the central thematic pillars of the analysis?
The central thematic fields are the use of history, the influence of political idealism in the 1930s, and the significant role of religious faith in shaping both individual and national consciousness.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to investigate how MacLennan utilizes Canada’s involvement in 20th-century international conflicts and the nation's specific historical context to establish a sense of belonging and national identity for his readers.
Which methodology does the author apply?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, connecting the novel's plot and character development to theoretical concepts of national identity, such as Benedict Anderson's "imagined communities" and the theory of in- and out-groups.
What topics are explored in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the use of historical flashbacks, Canada’s post-colonial distinction from Great Britain, the impact of the Great Depression and political movements, and the metaphorical use of religious faith to navigate personal and national crises.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Canadian identity, Hugh MacLennan, nationalism, post-colonialism, imagined communities, and the "ethnic mosaic" metaphor.
How does the novel serve as an allegory for Canada?
The research argues that the protagonist George Stewart’s personal maturation and struggles mirror the national maturation of Canada as it attempts to move away from its colonial past toward a unique, sovereign identity.
Why is the role of religion significant in the text?
Religion is analyzed as a source of stability; the author highlights how characters experiencing a "loss of faith" reflect the generational identity crisis during the 1930s, ultimately suggesting that faith—represented by the book's title—is a path toward hope and certainty.
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- Carolina Maria (Autor:in), 2022, Forms and functions of the negotiation of Canadian identity in Hugh MacLennan’s "The Watch That Ends The Night", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1223589
