The importance and role of literature originating in former colonies such as Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand or Pakistan during the last fifty years by now is undisputed since most writers gave a new push to English-speaking literature by adding matters of colonialism, racism, immigration, exile, survival, border crossing or hybrid existence.
Canada hereby soon gained a key role since it was and still is considered to be an ideal place for diversity which formed the basis for a multicultural society which soon produced an enormous number of writers disposing of different political, cultural, ethnic or religious backgrounds.
This essay therefore mainly deals with matters of loosing and (re-)gaining First Nation identity in contemporary Canada. It hereby throws light on a history of racism, exploitation, genocide, subjugation and discrimination which has marked Canadian history for such a long time.
The loss of tradition and identity patterns hereby are of special interest since their results led to various ways of existence which constantly created multiple forms of the hybrid between two worlds – the world of the First Nations and the world of Western colonialism and its manifold realisations.
Table of Contents
1.Introduction
2.Wagamese as a representative of Native American/Canadian literature – a brief survey
3. Matters of Nativeness
3.1 Culture
3.2 Land
3.3 Home
3.4 Community
4. Matters of Identity
5. Conclusion / Critical remarks
6. Epilogue
7.Bibliography
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This academic text examines the complex processes of losing and regaining First Nation identity in contemporary Canada, focusing on Richard Wagamese's novel Keeper'n Me. It investigates how colonial history, displacement, and the resulting trauma affect the cultural and personal identity of Indigenous individuals, while exploring the therapeutic role of traditional storytelling and mentorship in the quest for selfhood.
- The impact of colonialism and systemic discrimination on First Nation identity.
- The significance of land, cultural belonging, and community in the healing process.
- The role of mentorship and traditional knowledge in overcoming personal and collective trauma.
- The literary representation of 'hybrid existence' and the struggle for authenticity in a postcolonial context.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
The importance and role of literature originating in former colonies such as Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand or Pakistan during the last fifty years by now is undisputed since most writers gave a new push to English speaking literature by adding matters of colonialism, racism, immigration, exile, survival, border crossing or hybrid existence. Most of these authors first placed their novels into the context of their new home country simply to reflect and discuss the exile position of their main characters.
The last thirty years, however, saw a going back to the mother country where plot, character and speech found a new place for another (in most cases critical) narrative background. One result from this was a new perspective of home and origin which both had for long been linked to trauma and loss.
Canada hereby soon gained a key role since it was and still is considered to be an ideal place for diversity which formed the basis for a multicultural society which soon produced an enermous number of writers disposing of different political, cultural, ethnic or religious backgrounds. As far as identity matters are concerned many of them stick to mix them with other issues with the result of what Rau (2017) calls a “literary kaleidoscope“ ( ibid.: 19) where novel and short story soon emerged as the two driving forces of CanLit.
Summary of Chapters
1.Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the role of post-colonial literature and sets the stage for exploring the loss and reclamation of First Nation identity within Canadian society.
2.Wagamese as a representative of Native American/Canadian literature – a brief survey: This section profiles Richard Wagamese's literary career, emphasizing his role as a bridge-builder between cultures and his autobiographical approach to exploring Indigenous trauma.
3. Matters of Nativeness: This comprehensive section analyzes how concepts of culture, land, home, and community are essential markers in defining First Nation identity against the historical backdrop of colonial marginalization.
4. Matters of Identity: The chapter focuses on the psychological and social complexities of identity formation for First Nation individuals navigating the tension between their original roots and the expectations of a colonial-influenced Canada.
5. Conclusion / Critical remarks: The author summarizes the novel as a vital contribution to CanLit, highlighting how Garnet’s journey reflects the universal human need for belonging and healing.
6. Epilogue: A reflective conclusion featuring poetry and literary quotes that underscore the restorative power of stories and the persistence of the human spirit.
7.Bibliography: A comprehensive list of primary and secondary sources that underpin the research presented in the work.
Keywords
First Nations, CanLit, Richard Wagamese, Keeper'n Me, Colonialism, Identity formation, Cultural trauma, Healing, Land, Oral storytelling, Home, Community, Hybridity, Postcolonialism, Autobiography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of the paper?
The paper focuses on the struggle of First Nation individuals to regain their cultural identity and sense of self in contemporary Canada, specifically through the analytical lens of Richard Wagamese's novel Keeper'n Me.
What are the central thematic fields?
The core themes include the impact of colonialism, the importance of reconnecting with traditional land and community, the psychological process of healing from intergenerational trauma, and the challenges of defining an authentic identity in a post-colonial environment.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The primary objective is to analyze how the main character, Garnet Raven, moves from a state of alienation and 'hybrid existence' to the discovery of his true identity as an Ojibway man, mediated by the guidance of an elder and a return to his roots.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, drawing upon post-colonial theories and sociological perspectives on identity and migration to evaluate the narrative structure and symbolic meaning within Wagamese's work.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body explores specific thematic pillars: the importance of culture, the sacred connection to land, the conceptualization of home after displacement, and the necessity of communal support for individual recovery.
Which keywords define this work?
The work is defined by concepts such as identity, colonialism, trauma, healing, First Nations, Canada, community, oral tradition, and cultural belonging.
Why is the role of the 'Keeper' so significant for the protagonist?
The Keeper serves as a symbolic mentor, adviser, and father figure who helps Garnet process his life story, teaching him the value of his heritage and how to achieve spiritual and psychological balance.
How does the novel address the issue of the 'orphan' figure in literature?
The text highlights that the orphan figure is central to the novel's quest, representing the search for a lost home and the need to reconcile a disrupted personal history with ancestral knowledge.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Matthias Dickert (Author), 2024, Richard Wagamese's "Keeper'n Me" (1994). The Quest of Healing First Nation Identity in Canada, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1494579
