Parent-Child-Relationships in Canadian Literature (King, Thomas: Green Grass, Running Water; Laurence, Margaret: A Bird in the House)

Term Paper , 2002 , 10 Pages , Grade: 2 (B)

American Studies - Literature

There are many different kinds of parent-child relationships:
On the one hand there is the ‘perfect’ relationship, which means that the
parents love their children and they love their parents. This seems to be
wonderful, but there are also problems. For example, in some cases the
people love their children so much that they become thoroughly spoilt.
On the other hand there is the total ‘family disaster’, which means that in
some cases the parents don’t even have any contact with their children.
Unfortunately, there are many relationships which have this character.
All in all, it is very difficult for parents to build up a really good relationship
to their children. Childhood is the most important time in a human’s life: The
children see their parents as the ‘best’ people in the world and expect them to
behave like this. Later, when the children get older, they develop in different
ways and it will be more difficult for the parents to do the right things. So,
the expectations of the children remain the same, but they make it more
difficult for their parents. In this way, there can develop many problems.

Such parent-child relationships are one of the main subjects in A Bird in the
House by Margaret Laurence and Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas
King. These two novels are about relationships and in which way these
relationships work. Furthermore, it is talked about different kinds of people’s
behaviour and what effect it has on other people.

Table of Contents

1. Parent-Child-Relationships in Canadian Literature

1.1 The relationship between Vanessa & her parents Beth and Ewen

1.2 The relationship between Ewen & his parents

1.3 The relationship between Beth and her sister Edna & their parents

Objectives and Themes

This paper explores the complex dynamics of parent-child relationships within Canadian literature, specifically analyzing Margaret Laurence's "A Bird in the House" and Thomas King's "Green Grass, Running Water." The primary objective is to examine how these literary works depict familial bonds, the impact of generational conflict, and the influence of cultural identity on family cohesion.

• The psychological development of characters through parent-child interactions.
• The contrast between "perfect" relationships and dysfunctional family structures.
• The impact of cultural heritage on familial expectations and reconciliation.
• Comparative analysis of narrative techniques used to portray family secrets and history.

Excerpt from the Book

The relationship between Ewen & his parents

Firstly, we will have a look at the relationship between Ewen and his parents. The relationship to his father, who died a year after Vanessa was born, is described indirectly through a conversation between Ewen and Vanessa in To Set Our House in Order. Here, the reader is told about the fact that Ewen didn’t know very much about his father when he was still alive. Only after his father’s death, he recognised that he was interested in plays in the original Greek, but that seems to be the only thing he really knew about his father: ”He must have been a lonely man, …, Maybe he would have liked to be a classical scholar - I don’t know, …, Maybe he would have liked to talk to somebody about these plays. They must have meant a lot to him”(54). Here one can see that Ewen doesn’t know very much about his father, he can only speculate on him.

In contrast, Ewen seems to know his mother very good and most of the time he puts in a good word for her. The whole family doesn’t really like her and doesn’t understand her behaviour. Ewen tries to be indulgent with his mother and tolerates what she does.

Summary of Chapters

1. Parent-Child-Relationships in Canadian Literature: This introductory section establishes the thematic importance of parent-child dynamics and provides a critical framework for interpreting familial structures within the chosen novels.

1.1 The relationship between Vanessa & her parents Beth and Ewen: This chapter analyzes the positive bond between Vanessa and her parents, highlighting how this relationship serves as a counterpoint to the more strained familial interactions found elsewhere in the text.

1.2 The relationship between Ewen & his parents: This chapter focuses on Ewen’s attempt to reconcile his feelings toward his late father and his ongoing efforts to support his difficult mother, illustrating a transition from a child-parent to a parent-child dynamic.

1.3 The relationship between Beth and her sister Edna & their parents: This chapter examines the internal conflicts of the Connor family, specifically how Grandfather Connor’s authoritarian nature affects his daughters' perceptions of their parents and their own adult relationships.

Keywords

Parent-child relationships, Canadian literature, family dynamics, cultural values, generational conflict, identity, Vanessa, A Bird in the House, Green Grass, Running Water, Thomas King, Margaret Laurence, narrative analysis, reconciliation, tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research paper?

The paper examines the representation of parent-child relationships and family structures within two seminal Canadian novels, exploring how these connections function under various socio-cultural pressures.

What are the primary thematic areas covered in the analysis?

The research explores the balance between family love and conflict, the influence of historical and cultural heritage on identity, and the ways in which characters navigate parental expectations.

What is the central research question guiding this work?

The work seeks to understand how parent-child relationships are portrayed in Canadian literature and what factors, such as cultural identity or family history, contribute to the success or dysfunction of these bonds.

Which academic methodology is applied to these texts?

The author uses a qualitative literary analysis approach, focusing on close reading of specific dialogues, narrative passages, and character interactions to draw thematic conclusions.

What content is addressed in the main body of the paper?

The main body provides a detailed breakdown of specific character relationships, such as Ewen and his parents, the Connors' daughters, and the various generational ties depicted in Thomas King’s work.

Which keywords best describe this study?

Key terms include parent-child relationships, Canadian literature, cultural identity, generational conflict, and familial dynamics.

How does the author characterize the father-son relationship between Portland and Charlie Looking Bear?

The author views this relationship as deeply influenced by the father’s pursuit of a Hollywood career, which leads to a temporary rift as the son struggles with his father’s obsession and his own cultural identity.

What role does the "Sun Dance" play in the family dynamics described in "Green Grass, Running Water"?

The Sun Dance serves as a symbolic marker of cultural value; characters who participate in it are depicted as maintaining strong ties to their families and culture, while those who avoid it often experience more significant alienation from their origins.

• College: Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald (Institute for Anglistics/ American Studies)
• Course: Canadian Literature
• Grade: 2 (B)
• Author: Lysann Hofmann (Author)
• Publication Year: 2002
• Pages: 10
• Catalog Number: V23056
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638262552
• ISBN (Book): 9783638759748
• Language: English
• Tags: Parent-Child-Relationships, Canadian, Literature, Thomas, Green, Grass, Running, Water, Laurence, Margaret, Bird, House), Canadian, Literature