Canadian Life Analyzed in Crow Lake Essay Example
Canadian Life Analyzed in Crow Lake Essay Example

Canadian Life Analyzed in Crow Lake Essay Example

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Canada, located in the northern hemisphere, has a frigid climate. Exploring its population and studying its literature allows for an examination of cultural differences between Canada and other cold regions. Canadian literature reflects the experiences of individuals deeply immersed in Canadian culture. By examining their literature, one can gain insight into how Canadians endure isolation and overcome challenges during harsh winters.

One renowned Canadian author, Margaret Atwood, was born in Ottawa and focuses her literary works on women's survival and struggle for rights in a heavily gender-biased culture.

This is an excerpt titled February, taken from the poem Morning in the Burned House. In these lines, the poet describes winter as a time of mourning and sorrow. The color of the black cat represents death. Atwood acknowledg

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es death as a common part of life and encourages moving forward, as reflected in the last line "get rid of death. Celebrate increase. Make it be spring." It is a reminder to overcome grief because death, like winter, is a natural cycle of life. Spring follows winter, bringing new life.

In this text, the significance of motivating Canadians to overcome life's tragedies is emphasized. Mary Lawson, a Canadian author, discusses the theme of surviving death and grief in her book "Crow Lake." The narrative follows four children who become orphans due to a devastating car accident that takes their parents' lives. By utilizing "Crow Lake" as a point of reference, I will address inquiries regarding why isolation and survival are inherent reactions to life in Canada. Canada's geographical location in the Northern Hemisphere distinguishes it from other regions where favorable weather persists year-roun

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by experiencing distinct seasons such as winter, spring, summer, and fall.

During winter, the human body naturally experiences a sense of despondency, especially in cold regions like Canada. This can amplify the difficulty of coping with grief following a familial loss. Consequently, numerous Canadian authors explore themes of seclusion and survival in their literary compositions, shedding light on life's challenges. Within these works, characters frequently discover solace by diligently toiling as a means to evade their troubles. The provided book offers a glimpse into this struggle through one sentence: "He traveled from town to town, working wherever he could find it. When he arrived in Toronto, he briefly hesitated before swiftly moving forward; perhaps the city alarmed him or seemed purposeless and superficial."

On temperature: "That night the weather revealed itself as the fraud it was and the temperature dropped to minus ten. Matt was uneasy."5 On seasons: "Life cycles being as they are, spring is the best time for pond watching, and that spring every form of life."6 Thus, "seasons" play an important role in a Canadian's life for survival. 2. Describing Matt's actions and reactions to life in Canada: "Work carried out as a tribute to our parents, to wrest something good from the devastation of that year, to prove himself to himself and to Luke, for my sake, for his own sake, for its own sake, for the pure joy of it – perhaps that above all. Work so that he could in his turn support the rest of us, work for the future of the family."

Matt believed in his ability to succeed and be acknowledged for his hard

work. He viewed life as an ongoing journey and did not perceive the loss of his parents as a devastating event. This belief motivated him to strive for excellence, especially since he considered himself the most intelligent among his siblings. In contrast, Luke chose not to engage in any further discussion on the topic and vowed never to bring it up again, regardless of their lifespan. Luke was baffled by Matt's perceived brilliance and questioned the functionality of his brain.

Even if I desired to leave at this moment, there would not be sufficient funds. Thus, a scholarship becomes necessary, correct? As the eldest sibling, Luke matured into a selfless individual who comprehended his obligation to care for his sisters. He relinquished his aspiration of becoming an educator due to his belief that it was his destiny in life. Kate reminisces about feeling detached during that period and still experiences a certain level of disconnection. Ideally, she would have preferred to peacefully sit beneath a tree and observe events from afar, particularly observing Matt.

The main focus of the narrative is Kate, the central character, who views her brother Matt as a representation of their familial connection following the loss of their parents. It is important to recognize that in such circumstances, siblings frequently assume responsibility for one another. Consequently, orphaned siblings typically remain united during challenging periods. Hence, it is crucial to analyze the key relationships within the novel that emphasize these motifs.

According to his wife Marie, Matt goes through a range of emotions regarding his relationship with Kate. Initially, he feels immense joy upon discovering that Kate will be

returning home. However, as the time approaches, he begins to suffer from insomnia. Despite being aware that Kate depends on him as her older and closest brother, Matt's attention shifts towards Marie and their son. Consequently, he experiences deep sadness for not being present for his siblings and believes that he has deserted them. Meanwhile, Kate remains blissfully oblivious to the effect she has on Matt concerning Marie.

According to Kate, Marie is not at fault for her lack of understanding. However, it is also tragic that Matt is married to someone who truly has no idea about his true nature. This has caused Kate to feel as though her life was taken away from her because Marie deprived her of the person she really loved. Kate and her siblings believe that if it hadn't been for Marie, Matt would have achieved great wealth and success.

During their journey to New Liskeard, Kate confided in Daniel and shared her entire story, which she had kept hidden for years as it primarily belonged to her brother Matt. However, as they continued on their journey, Kate realized that Daniel needed to know the story. Talking with Matt would make it clear to Daniel that Matt's current situation was not ideal. Despite this realization, Kate decided to wait until they passed Cobalt before sharing the story.

Kate's secrecy about her personal life prevented her from openly expressing her true emotions about her family. The intensity of the pain from her past made her want to protect the part of her life involving her siblings. If Daniel hadn't been sensitive, he would never have discovered who

Kate's family truly was. Through delving into her past, Daniel successfully convinced Kate to open up and embark on a quest for uncovering the truth about her brother's authentic feelings and ultimately finding inner peace.

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