Catching the Torch: Contemporary Canadian Literary Responses to World War I

Examines contemporary novels and plays written about Canada's participation in World War I. Exploring such works as Jane Urquhart's The Underpainter and Jack Hodgins's Broken Ground, the book considers how writers have dealt with the compelling myth that the Canadian nation was born in the trenches of the Great War.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2018
Publisher: Wilfrid Laurier University Press

Catching the Torch delves into the examination of contemporary novels and plays that explore Canada's involvement in World War I. This captivating book takes a deep dive into works such as Jane Urquhart's The Underpainter, Jack Hodgins' Broken Ground, Kevin Kerr's Unity (1918), Stephen Massicotte's Mary's Wedding, and Frances Itani's Deafening. By exploring these diverse literary pieces, Catching the Torch sheds light on how writers have grappled with the compelling myth that the Canadian nation was born in the trenches of the Great War.

In contrast to British and European remembrances of WWI, which often view it as a catastrophic destroyer of innocence, or Australian myths that promote an ideal of exaggerated masculinity, physical bravery, and white superiority, contemporary Canadian texts evoke notions of distinctively Canadian values. These values include tolerance of ethnic difference, the ability to fulfill one's duties without complaint or arrogance, and a strong inclination to demonstrate moral as well as physical courage. Interestingly, Canadians are portrayed as both decrying the horrors of war and utilizing its productive cultural effects.

Through a meticulous analysis of the representation of sacrifice, service, and the commemoration of war in these literary works, Catching the Torch makes a compelling argument. It suggests that iterations of a secure mythic notion of national identity, one that is articulated through the representation of straightforward civic and military participation, serve to counter current anxieties about the stability of the nation-state. Specifically, these anxieties revolve around the perceived failure of the ideal of a national character.

By delving into the complexities of sacrifice, service, and the construction of national identity, Catching the Torch offers a thought-provoking exploration of the impact of war on society and the role of literature in shaping our understanding of it. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of Canadian Studies and provides insights into the complex interplay between history, culture, and literature.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 153 x 227 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781771122382