[...] Martha Ostenso writes in the realistic tradition, leaving behind the idyllic Romances of the turn of the century and applying modern psychological assumptions to the conceptions of her characters. In this respect Wild Geese combines on the one hand an authentic social picture of rural prairie life, and on the other hand the mystical spirituality embodied by the female heroine. The questions raised in this work focus on the relationship between man and women in the novel and on their symbolic presentation as struggling forces of contrasting natures. Most critics perceive the prairie landscape itself as a symbol of femininity mirroring the rebellion of the heroine against the domination of her father. The central question to be examined will be that of Ostenso’s understanding of the female and the male. In section 2 of this work, realistic aspects of the novel will be analysed in order to gain an insight into the narrative structure of the novel. Three aspects are of special importance for this paper starting with the authentic description of the prairie as habitat, turning towards the disfiguring of the Romantic hero in realistic writing and finally focussing on the emancipation of women in the Canadian West. Since the characters in prairie realism are presented as the extension of the landscape, this section is the indispensable preparatory step for the closer analysis of the male and female gender descriptions. The third section deals with the main characters ofWild Geeseand their relationships among each other, investigating, in particular, those traits of character, which Ostenso presents as typical for their gender. Furthermore, the influences of Modernism on Ostenso will become obvious in this analysis, as she makes use of psychological conclusions of Sigmund Freud and the intertextual reference to classical mythology. In section 4, the two alternatives of female liberation shown by Ostenso are set into context with the preceding plot and narrative structure of the novel completing the question about the relationships among men and women. In the conclusive section, the gender-typical features as perceived by Martha Ostenso should have become evident, so that the battle between the sexes as well as its symbolic level of nature against domination will be fully unfolded in the end. All citations from Martha Ostenso’s Wild Geese are gathered from the 1989 edition by McClelland and Stewart and are endued with the corresponding page number.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Prairie realism
- 2.1 Realistic depictions of the prairie
- 2.2 The disfiguring of the hero
- 2.3 The emancipation of the New Woman
- 3. Psychological character studies: Sexuality and gender bonds
- 3.1 Caleb Gare – male misapropriation of power
- 3.2 Natural instincts of the feminine
- 3.3 The prairie as female nature
- 4. Two ways of female liberation
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines Martha Ostenso's Wild Geese (1925), analyzing the portrayal of gender dynamics and the conflict between masculine and feminine principles within the context of prairie realism. The study explores how Ostenso uses the prairie landscape symbolically and how the novel reflects the changing social landscape of early 20th-century Canada.
- The portrayal of gender roles and the struggle for female liberation in early 20th-century Canada.
- The use of prairie realism as a literary technique to depict social and psychological realities.
- The symbolic representation of the prairie landscape as a reflection of female nature and rebellion.
- The conflict between masculine dominance and feminine instincts.
- The exploration of different paths towards female emancipation.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Martha Ostenso's Wild Geese, highlighting the novel's depiction of a young woman's rebellion against patriarchal conventions in a rural Canadian community. It emphasizes the novel's impact upon publication due to its portrayal of a female protagonist who challenges traditional notions of female sexuality and behavior. The chapter establishes the central conflict between masculine and feminine principles, economic exploitation and nature, and frames the subsequent analysis as an examination of Ostenso's understanding of gender dynamics. The introduction outlines the structure of the paper, focusing on realistic aspects of the novel, psychological character studies, and different paths toward female liberation.
2. Prairie Realism: This section delves into the realistic depiction of the prairie landscape in Wild Geese, contrasting it with earlier idealized portrayals in Canadian literature. It challenges the Romantic notion of the prairie as a utopian space, referencing Arnold E. Davidson's work to highlight the absence of a true “frontier experience” in the Canadian West. The analysis contrasts the idyllic Romantic images of the prairie with the realistic portrayal in Ostenso's novel, focusing on the shift from idealized representations to a more nuanced depiction of the land and its inhabitants. The chapter analyzes how this shift mirrors the changing social context and the questioning of established British order by new settlers, particularly as it pertains to female emancipation.
3. Psychological character studies: Sexuality and gender bonds: This section provides in-depth analyses of the main characters in Wild Geese, particularly focusing on their gender characteristics as presented by Ostenso. It explores the motivations and actions of Caleb Gare, showcasing his misappropriation of power and highlighting the contrast with the natural instincts of the feminine, as embodied by Judith. The chapter also examines the symbolic representation of the prairie as female nature, linking it to Judith's rebellion. The influence of Modernism and psychological perspectives, particularly Freudian concepts and allusions to classical mythology, are explored within the character analysis.
4. Two ways of female liberation: This section analyzes the different paths towards female liberation presented in Ostenso's novel, setting them within the context of the overall narrative. It builds upon the preceding chapters by exploring how the characters' actions and choices reflect various approaches to challenging patriarchal structures and societal expectations. This section connects the presented paths to the broader themes of gender dynamics, the conflict between individual desires and societal pressures, and the implications for the female characters’ personal growth and agency.
Keywords
Prairie realism, Canadian literature, Martha Ostenso, Wild Geese, gender roles, female liberation, patriarchal structures, sexuality, symbolism, landscape, Modernism, psychological character study, Freud, Canadian West.
Martha Ostenso's Wild Geese: A Comprehensive FAQ
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes Martha Ostenso's Wild Geese (1925), examining its portrayal of gender dynamics and the conflict between masculine and feminine principles within the context of prairie realism. It explores how Ostenso uses the prairie landscape symbolically and how the novel reflects the changing social landscape of early 20th-century Canada.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the portrayal of gender roles and the struggle for female liberation in early 20th-century Canada; the use of prairie realism as a literary technique; the symbolic representation of the prairie landscape as a reflection of female nature and rebellion; the conflict between masculine dominance and feminine instincts; and the exploration of different paths towards female emancipation.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters: an introduction, a section on prairie realism, a section on psychological character studies focusing on sexuality and gender bonds, a section analyzing two ways of female liberation, and a conclusion. Each chapter contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the novel's themes and literary techniques.
How does the paper analyze prairie realism in Wild Geese?
The paper contrasts the realistic depiction of the prairie landscape in Wild Geese with earlier idealized portrayals. It challenges the Romantic notion of the prairie as a utopian space and analyzes how the shift from idealized representations to a more nuanced depiction mirrors the changing social context and the questioning of established British order, particularly as it pertains to female emancipation.
What is the significance of the psychological character studies in the paper?
The psychological character studies delve into the motivations and actions of the main characters, particularly focusing on their gender characteristics as presented by Ostenso. It explores the misappropriation of power by male characters and contrasts this with the natural instincts of the feminine. The symbolic representation of the prairie as female nature is linked to the female protagonist's rebellion. The analysis incorporates Modernist and psychological perspectives, including Freudian concepts and allusions to classical mythology.
How does the paper address female liberation in Wild Geese?
The paper analyzes different paths towards female liberation presented in the novel, exploring how characters' actions reflect various approaches to challenging patriarchal structures and societal expectations. It connects these paths to broader themes of gender dynamics, the conflict between individual desires and societal pressures, and the implications for the female characters’ personal growth and agency.
What are the key terms and concepts used throughout the paper?
Key terms include prairie realism, Canadian literature, Martha Ostenso, Wild Geese, gender roles, female liberation, patriarchal structures, sexuality, symbolism, landscape, Modernism, psychological character study, Freud, and Canadian West.
What is the overall contribution of this paper?
The paper offers a comprehensive analysis of Martha Ostenso's Wild Geese, providing valuable insights into its literary merit, its social commentary, and its enduring relevance in understanding gender dynamics and the complexities of female liberation in early 20th-century Canada.
- Quote paper
- Ines Ramm (Author), 2006, Sexing the Prairie - Male domination over female instincts in Martha Ostenso's "Wild Geese", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/67603
