The Magpie
A Novel of Post-War Disillusionment 1923
Seiten
1974
University of Toronto Press (Verlag)
978-0-8020-6246-8 (ISBN)
University of Toronto Press (Verlag)
978-0-8020-6246-8 (ISBN)
One of the most complex experiences for Canadians was World War 1 and its attendant social upheavals. Because of the lack of a clear description of the emotional forces of the period, historians have tended to concentrate on the political manifestations of agrarian and working class unrest. There are no well-known sources for social commentary, a lack that makes this novel important as an historical document.
Originally published in 1923, The Magpie is an articulate and perceptive work which provides an accurate description of the disillusionment that developed after the war when it became apparent that many of the government's promises of social reform were not going to be fulfilled. Craig Forrester – nicknamed 'The Magpie' because of his terseness in conducting business on the Winnipeg Grain Exchange – is appalled by the greed, hypocrisy, and intolerance of the 'decent' classes and opts for persona morality and social justice. Rejecting urban life, he returns to the farm of his childhood, symbol of the traditional values of honesty and simplicity. By having his hero make this choice, Durkin adopts one of the greatest themes of Canadian literature and intellectual thought – the agrarian myth.
A secondary theme, of particular interest today, is the role of women in post-war society and the evolution of moral codes. The three women in 'The Magpie's' life achieve surprising degrees of personal autonomy.
Originally published in 1923, The Magpie is an articulate and perceptive work which provides an accurate description of the disillusionment that developed after the war when it became apparent that many of the government's promises of social reform were not going to be fulfilled. Craig Forrester – nicknamed 'The Magpie' because of his terseness in conducting business on the Winnipeg Grain Exchange – is appalled by the greed, hypocrisy, and intolerance of the 'decent' classes and opts for persona morality and social justice. Rejecting urban life, he returns to the farm of his childhood, symbol of the traditional values of honesty and simplicity. By having his hero make this choice, Durkin adopts one of the greatest themes of Canadian literature and intellectual thought – the agrarian myth.
A secondary theme, of particular interest today, is the role of women in post-war society and the evolution of moral codes. The three women in 'The Magpie's' life achieve surprising degrees of personal autonomy.
Douglas Durkin (1884-1968) grew up in northern Ontario and Manitoba. After receiving his BA he taught English in a number of schools and universities. In 1929 he moved to New York City, and from then on concentrated on his writing. He wrote most of his novels jointly with Martha Ostenso (who became is wife), composed several ballads with Carl Sandberg, and collaborated on a screen play, Union Depot, with Gene Fowler. He also contributed short stories to Harper's Magazine, Liberty, and Century. Peter E. Rider is an adjunct professor of history at the University of Ottawa.
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 15.12.1974 |
|---|---|
| Reihe/Serie | Heritage |
| Einführung | Peter Rider |
| Verlagsort | Toronto |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 140 x 213 mm |
| Gewicht | 420 g |
| Themenwelt | Literatur ► Historische Romane |
| Literatur ► Krimi / Thriller / Horror ► Krimi / Thriller | |
| Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen | |
| Geisteswissenschaften ► Geschichte ► Regional- / Ländergeschichte | |
| ISBN-10 | 0-8020-6246-6 / 0802062466 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0-8020-6246-8 / 9780802062468 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
