Rethinking Qu�b�cois Identity in Three Immigrant Novels
Date of Award
2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Van Tuyl, Jocelyn
Keywords
Francophone Literature, Quebec, Immigrants
Area of Concentration
French
Abstract
This thesis examines the current trend of �criture migrante [writing by immigrants] in Quebec and how it is redefining the identity axis of langue � religion � race � pays � defendre [language � religion � race � country to defend], the way in which Qu�b�cois identity has been traditionally conceived. The introduction provides a historical overview of Qu�b�cois identity and how it has been upheld in literature, and then compares two poems, 'Speak White,' by Mich�le Lalonde, a nationalist writer of Qu�b�cois ancestry, and 'Speak What' by Marco Micone, an immigrant author. The comparison of these two poems sets up the main issues of �criture migrante, showing the controversy that arises when immigrant authors challenge Qu�b�cois nationalism. The body of the thesis analyzes three novels by immigrant authors � Les lettres chinoises by Chinese-born author Ying Chen, La Qu�b�coite by French expatriate author R�gine Robin, and Pays sans chapeau by Haitian exile author Dany Laferri�re � in order to see specific examples of how immigrant authors are reconceptualizing identity through literature. The conclusion expands the discussion by looking at the debate over the awarding of the 1994 Governor General's award to Nancy Huston, an English Canadian writer living in France. This debate reiterates how many literary critics in Quebec still seek to maintain old identity paradigms and is the proof that immigrant authors have succeeded in unsettling them.
Recommended Citation
Broxton, Bambi, "Rethinking Qu�b�cois Identity in Three Immigrant Novels" (2005). Theses & ETDs. 3491.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3491
Rights
This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.