From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge. Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile.
From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and outlining various literary genres, authors, and recent reads and can serve as an introduction for those unfamiliar with these works, as a refresher for long-time aficionados, and maybe as an inspiration for readers to share their own suggested topics. Do you have a topic that you would like covered in this column? Feel free to contact me for an interview and a feature in an upcoming column.
Who
This week’s column continues to focus on notable Canadian authors, with a brief look at the works of Margaret Laurence.
Laurence was born on July 18, 1926, in Neepawa, Manitoba and died on January 5, 1987, in Lakefield, Ontario.
She is known for her novels, as well as her short stories.
What
Some examples of Laurence’s literary works include The Stone Angel, The Diviners, and A Bird in the House.
Where
These works are primarily set in Manitoba, as well as the fictional Canadian town, Manawaka.
When
Laurence’s novels and short stories are primarily set in the 21st century.
Why
These works could be of interest to AU learners who enjoy difficult literary themes, such as identity, morality, loss, and alienation.
How
AU’s wide range of diverse courses make it easy to study this topic in depth. Courses related to the works of Margaret Laurence are available in a variety of disciplines, including one’s that may fit into your Degree Works. (Always check with an AU counsellor to see if these particular courses fulfill your personal graduation requirements!)
AU students interested in learning more about this topic may enroll in ENGL 307: Women in Literature, a senior-level, three-credit course, which “critically examines the tradition in women’s writing, deconstructs the pervasive images of women in literature, and analyzes the way in which women use language to define their experiences.” (Please note that this course requires ENGL 211: Prose Forms and ENGL 212: Poetry and Plays as prerequisites).
Students may also be interested in ENGL 351: Comparative Canadian Literature I, another senior-level, three-credit course, which serves as “an introduction to the study of ethnic minority writing in Canada in the context of the country’s two majority traditions—the English and the French.” (Similarly, this course also requires ENGL 211: Prose Forms and ENGL 212 as prerequisites). Happy reading!
