The book the Origin of Species should be considered a great contribution to Canadian Literature for a few reasons. Nino Ricci (the author) was born and raised in Canada, and attended prominent Canadian Universities for his studies. Not only that, but he was raised by two parents who immigrated here from Italy, so Ricci alone is going to draw in readers outside of Canada. The book represents Canadian themes and settings while relating to other cultures as well. This author, and this book, are essential contributions to Canadian literature because of their ability to capture the cultural mosaic we have in Canada, and to have readers of many different nationalities appreciate the work.
Nino Ricci has been praised for his writing style in this book. "The Governor General's Award jury praised the novel for its ‘great humanity, realism and wit.’" ("The Canadian Encyclopedia"). Ricci captures a classic Canadian male persona in his protagonist character Alex. This character is essentially a description of a typical personality of a thirty something male in Canada, this is a man who really does not know anything but appears as though he does. His thoughts are jumbled and love life is extremely convoluted and coarse.
The settings in this book are quite vivid, and most of them are in Canada. The main setting is Montreal, which immediately shows Canada’s spectrum of culture. We have a multi-cultural country, and this is displayed with prominence in the book. One of Alex’s jobs is to tutor French citizens of Quebec in English; this is a display of our diversity right away. Another example is the city itself - Montreal - this city shows the immediate second, prominent culture in Canada - French. Ricci is proud of our countries ability to encompass many cultures. In the book some of Alex’s closest friends are foreign immigrants from Salvador. In fact, Alex himself is Italian. The other setting that is spoken of in Canada is Toronto. These two main Canadian locations are very clear representations of the point Ricci is communicating to the reader - the fact that Canada is all –encompassing (with the French speakers at home, as well as all of the immigrants). Looking away from our own country there are many other locations in the globe found within the book. The settings go as far as the Galapagos and Sweden, actually Alex travels all over Europe. What’s particularly interesting about this is that Alex acts as an ambassador for Canada, while visiting these other countries. He is always polite when in another country, trying his best to speak their language, and being considerate to the locals. Alex says while traveling in the book that being Canadian abroad is actually very helpful. What Ricci is doing by displaying this is showing how Canada interacts with other countries and cultures outside of our borders. This book has the underlying tone of being a clear representative of Canadian qualities and ideals, which are being good while abroad and having the notorious reputation for being kind, polite people.
This book has many qualities, not only Canadian, which I mentioned above in regards to the settings in the book. This book will appeal to so many cultures because of its diversity of cultures within the book, for the fact that it allows the reader to see him or herself in the book. If this book were to be read, in England, it would be appreciated for, of course the incredible writing, but also the inclusion of something English within the book (there is in fact at one point a main character who is an English prof.). Because this book will be so widely read due to its diversity and its incredible writing (believable characters, amazing plot development ect) by a Canadian author, people will begin to see this as a main representation of Canadian literature.
What Ricci has done here is actually quite incredible. He has managed to write a book based in Canada, but at the same time write a story that envelops almost the entire globe. From an author born and raised in Canada by two Italian immigrants, he has managed to create a piece of literature that is sure to be remembered for its in depth but subtle analysis of Canada (as a cultural mosaic), people and the world.
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This is a reasonable argument in defense the novel. It is certainly by our mosaic culture that world recognizes, if not defines, us. I was unclear as to your meaning in para. 4 when you write: "...but also the inclusion of something English within the book." I'm guessing this has to do with your overall argument but it isnt' really clear.
ReplyDeleteIn para. 3 you use the adjective "notorious" incorrectly.