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Studying Canadian Literature

© Paula E. Kirman

When I was an English major in university, it as a requirement. We had to take at least three credits in Canadian Literature. Our choices included Contemporary Canadian Poetry or Prose. I took both.

It is amazing how people can be extremely ignorant of their own culture. Many of my classmates were not familiar with the fact Leonard Cohen was a novelist in addition to being a songwriter. Many had never read much of what Canada's literary world has to offer.

In high school, we always spent a lot of time on Shakespeare, classic works like Catcher in the Rye or on reading comprehension for the purpose of passing standarized tests. But we rarely delved into writers from our nation.

Don't get me wrong -- it is important to have a well-rounded literary background, especially if one is an English major. But it seems like we shortchange our own writers, then complain that Canada has little to offer the world in the way of culture.

I think every high school Language Arts program should include at least one novel from a Canadian author. And when it comes to poetry and drama, selections should definitely be included from Canadian poets and playwrites.

It was my own choice to take more credits in Canadian literature than was required for my degree. I made that choice because I knew that as a teacher (I was going for a Bachelor in Education) and as a writer that I had a responsibility to my students and readers to present Canadian literary works. I do not necessarily believe that Canadian literature is always better than literature form other parts of the world, simply that it is marginalized within our own country. How ironic.

I somehow doubt that in the United States, that this same issue exists. I am sure that American authors fill English classrooms across the nation. If I am incorrect, please let me know.

I challenge all Canadian English Language Arts teachers to include one Canadian work in your lesson plans during the next school year. You will be contributing to helping young people know more about the literary culture of the country and have a greater awareness of literature both within and outside our borders.

The Discussion Forum is always open -- I look forward to hearing you ideas, thoughts and responses.

The copyright of the article Studying Canadian Literature in Canadian Literature is owned by Paula E. Kirman. Permission to republish Studying Canadian Literature in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.