The American Western in Canadian Literature

This work explores over a century of Canadian Western development, highlighting its interaction with American influences, Indigenous perspectives, and evolving literary trends while offering a critical examination of national identity and culture.

The American Western in Canadian Literature explores the evolution of the Canadian Western genre over the past century, particularly in relation to its American counterpart. This work delves into how Canadian Westerns have been shaped by American influences, shifting literary trends, and broader social changes at regional, national, and international levels. It begins with Indigenous viewpoints on the genre and traces its development from early Christian narratives of personal and national growth to the pulp fiction popularity of the 1940s and contemporary critiques that challenge traditional boundaries.

The book employs genre theory to provide insights into historical perspectives on nation and region, offering a nuanced understanding of how the Western has been adapted and critiqued across different cultures. It highlights the dialogue between Canadian and American Westerns, illustrating how Canadian narratives have both drawn from and responded to American tropes, traditions, and political contexts. This conversation has allowed for the creation of a distinct Canadian literary tradition that reinterprets and expands the Western genre.

Additionally, the text addresses Indigenous and settler-colonial critiques of the Western, shedding light on the persistent stereotypes and attitudes towards Indigenous peoples and their lands that are often present in the genre. By examining how the Canadian Western reflects and critiques aspects of Canadian life—ranging from car culture to resource extraction—the book offers a comprehensive and engaging study of a genre that has often been overlooked in literary discussions.