Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Laurence, Margaret--Diviners; Diviners (Laurence, Margaret); Identity (Philosophical concept) in literature; Literature; Canada--In literature; Canada;
Abstract
This thesis is designed to explain and explore the Canadian identity quest as it appears in Margaret Laurence's novel The Diviners. It consists of three chapters and a conclusion to sum up the main aspects of the quest. The thesis gives an overview on Canadian history and therefore puts every reader into the position to understand the accompanying details which are so important to understand what is going on in this huge country. I deal with political, social and cultural surroundings in Canada and prepare the ground for the literary history. The literary history of Canada, as it will-through The Diviners- serve as the main example and source for the identity quest in Canada, informs the reader about the different movements of literature and follows its gradual development from the beginning of the settlement until the present. I point out the four different streams and connect them to the overall picture I am drawing in the thesis and to the life and work of especially one author in Canadian literature. The reader is introduced into the life of one of Canada's finest authors-Margaret Laurence. The interested person will find a detailed biography, as well as the connection to what Margaret Laurence wanted to achieve throughout her life. It shows how this extraordinary novelist tried to give a key to those in charge to build a nation. It also shows the commitment of Laurence throughout her life to create understanding among every human being on Earth. A goal which finally is the heart of the thesis. I analyze The Diviners and how the identity quest can be found in this novel. It shows aside other points that the main character had been Canadian from the start which is the main concern of the thesis. This points out that Laurence really wanted to help creating a Canadian nation and that she considered the writers commitment to be of crucial importance for the struggle of the Canadian country towards unity and self understanding. Combining not only literary information but also political, cultural and historical facts should make this thesis interesting and diverse.
Year of Submission
1998
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of English Language and Literature
First Advisor
Calvin Thomas
Second Advisor
Thoedore Hovet
Third Advisor
Grant Tracey
Date Original
1998
Object Description
1 PDF file (76 leaves)
Copyright
©1998 Markus Hornburg
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Hornburg, Markus, "The Identity Quest in Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners" (1998). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2977.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2977
Comments
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