The manifold topics related to what is commonly known as the catchphrase ‘Duplessis orphans’ have shocked (and still do shock) many Canadians. Fact is that scientists of different research fields talk about a dark spot of contemporary Canadian history, which until today has left many questions unanswered.
To tackle the subject of physical, mental and sexual abuse, along with students, at a German modern secondary school and to present the finding at university first seemed to be a difficult task to master. However, the present discussion of sexual abuse of children and teenagers in church-run institutions in Ireland or Germany hint at the importance of this matter. German students have already encountered this problem in connection with Australia, where ‘The Stolen Generation’ is a matter in form 9.
In order to give an objective (but critical) reflection of this topic, an interdisciplinary approach seems advisable, since we regard a problem which originates in many different backgrounds. Students can thus use historical, sociological, religious and psychological information to better understand the practice of child abuse in the widest sense.
The topic is also close to the students’ own life experience, and an in-depth analysis of the Canadian example enables them to work on a specific example with the possibility to better understand this complex matter.
The Canadian background which geographically centers around the Quebec area also teaches them a lot about Canada and helps them see how closely related the Duplessis orphans are to Canada’s past and present.
The shocking fact that child abuse has been tolerated for such a long time also shows that Canada – like all former colonies of France and Great Britain – has been a victim of colonization that exercised the so-called ‘four Cs’ (conquest, civilization, commerce and, above all, Christianity) to deal with their colonies.
Table of Contents
I. LITERARY BACKGROUND
1. Orphans in English-speaking Literature
2. The Orphan
3. Orphans in Canadian Literature
II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
1. The French Colonization of Canada
2. British Colonial Rule
3. The Importance of the Catholic Church in Canada's History
4. The Present Role of the Catholic Church
5. The Specific Position of Québec in Canada’s Past and Present
6. The Man Duplessis
III. THE DUPLESSIS SCANDAL
7. Physical, Mental and Sexual Abuse of Children – A Short Introduction
8. The Duplessis Orphanages and Their Treatment of Children and Teenagers
9. 'The Duplessis Orphans
10. Treatment of the 'Duplessis Orphans'
11. Consequences of the 'Duplessis Scandal'
12. Film Coverage: The Boys of St. Vincent
IV. LITERARY COVERAGE OF THE TOPIC CANADIAN ORPHANS
13. Mavis Gallant: Orphan’s Progress (1965)
14. Eleanor H. Porter: Pollyanna (1913)
15. Constance Horn: The Accidental Orphan (1999)
V. CONSEQUENCES FOR TEACHING THIS SUBJECT AT SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY
Objectives and Themes
This work explores the "Duplessis Orphans" scandal in Canada through an interdisciplinary approach, linking historical, political, and literary perspectives to provide a critical understanding of institutional child abuse. It aims to bridge the gap between academic research and secondary school education by examining how orphan narratives reflect broader societal issues, colonial legacies, and the development of Canadian identity.
- Historical analysis of the Duplessis era and Catholic Church influence in Quebec.
- Examination of systemic physical, mental, and sexual abuse in state and church institutions.
- Literary exploration of the orphan archetype in English and Canadian literature.
- Pedagogical reflection on teaching traumatic history and social responsibility in schools.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Orphans in English-speaking Literature
Adults and children alike are familiar with orphan stories since they are vital parts of all kinds of national literatures. Orphans and orphan stories seem indeed to be deeply rooted there and dispose of a long history in all kinds of literatures. This definitely also goes for the English speaking literature where orphans do have a fixed place which shows that they are also embedded there.
So what are the reasons for the popularity of orphans and orphan stories? A closer look at this question definitely reveals one central element which lies in the (emotional) closeness of orphan and reader which includes the option for readers to find themselves in orphan stories because they tend to accompany their life.
It thus tends to be a fact that throughout our lives, we move from one story to the next, and writer, reader and listener alike know that “we live our lives immersed in stories” (Simpkinson/Simpkinson, 1993:1). It is here where from many stories we encounter in our lives one of the most influential and powerful ones is the orphan as hero.
Other than the gods, no single persona is more dominant as a hero symbol in literature than the orphan figure. Kimball (1999) writes: “Orphan characters in folktales and literature symbolize our isolation from one another and from society [...], orphans are clearly marked as being different from the rest of society. They are the eternal other” (p. 559). Here it is more prevalent than in fiction, from its classical contributions to its more modern popular cultural forms of literature. Orphans prevail in ancient poetry, folktales, fairy tales, older literary tales, modern stories, novels, television shows, movies, and comic books.
Summary of Chapters
I. LITERARY BACKGROUND: This section introduces the orphan as a central archetype in English and Canadian literature, examining how the figure of the solitary child reflects themes of isolation, survival, and social difference.
II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: This chapter provides an overview of French colonization, British rule, and the significant socio-political influence of the Catholic Church in Quebec, setting the stage for the emergence of the Duplessis era.
III. THE DUPLESSIS SCANDAL: This part details the systemic abuse of children within church-run institutions in Quebec, analyzing the roles of state policy, institutional corruption, and the long-term trauma inflicted upon the survivors.
IV. LITERARY COVERAGE OF THE TOPIC CANADIAN ORPHANS: This section analyzes specific works of fiction, including short stories and novels, to illustrate how Canadian authors have engaged with the themes of orphanhood and the historical reality of the "Home Children."
V. CONSEQUENCES FOR TEACHING THIS SUBJECT AT SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY: The final chapter reflects on the pedagogical value of incorporating these difficult historical and literary topics into modern curricula to foster intercultural learning and critical self-reflection.
Keywords
Duplessis Orphans, Canadian history, Catholic Church, Quebec, institutional abuse, orphan literature, colonization, Bildungsroman, trauma, social welfare, child rights, postcolonial literature, identity, Home Children, St. Vincent
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The work provides a comprehensive analysis of the "Duplessis Orphans" scandal in Quebec, examining it through the lenses of history, politics, and literature to highlight a dark, often overlooked, chapter of 20th-century Canadian history.
What are the main thematic pillars discussed in the book?
The central themes include the influence of the Catholic Church on Quebec's social institutions, the systematic abuse of vulnerable children, the historical context of British colonization, and the cultural representation of orphans in literature.
What is the core research objective?
The goal is to critically reflect on the abuse of orphans during the Duplessis era and to explore how literature can serve as a medium to understand and confront traumatic national histories.
Which academic methods are employed?
The book utilizes an interdisciplinary approach, combining historical research, sociological background analysis, literary criticism, and pedagogical theory to evaluate the subject matter.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the historical progression from French colonization to the Duplessis regime, details the specific abuses endured by institutionalized children, and analyzes orphan-themed literature as a reflection of the Canadian experience.
Which keywords are essential for understanding this publication?
Key terms include "Duplessis Orphans," "institutional abuse," "Quebec," "Catholic Church influence," "postcolonial identity," and "orphan literature."
How did Maurice Duplessis influence the orphanages?
Duplessis entered into a pact with the Catholic Church, effectively placing schools, hospitals, and orphanages under religious control. This led to federal subsidies being channeled to these institutions, incentivizing the misdiagnosis of healthy children as mentally ill to secure funding.
What is the significance of the "Quiet Revolution" in this context?
The "Quiet Revolution" of the 1960s was a turning point that led to the secularization of Quebec society, shifting control of education and health services from the Church to the state and exposing the scandals of the previous era.
How do the discussed novels relate to the real-world scandal?
Novels like "The Accidental Orphan" and films like "The Boys of St. Vincent" mirror the real-world experiences of orphans by portraying the struggles of abandoned children and criticizing the systemic lack of protection and empathy from adult authorities.
- Citar trabajo
- Matthias Dickert et al. (Autor), 2015, The 'Duplessis orphans'. A Historical, Political And Literary Approach, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/295313
