Contemporary Québec Literature

After many decades of subjection to a conservative ideology and to a powerful Catholic mindset, Québec’s literature began to define itself in the 1950’s with a shy and symbolic voice, before affirming its autonomy worldwide in the 1960’s. Since then, Québec literature has been thriving, driven by a surprisingly creative force.
This course proposes to study the writings of four prominent authors from the contemporary period (of the five suggested below) in order to understand in what way they have contributed to the knowledge and the consciousness of our modern times. Much of the class time will be devoted to discussion and intellectual exchange based on a clear set of guidelines provided by the professor. Students will draw from these guidelines to read and question the texts from within a variety of literary genres (poetry, drama, essays, novels) and to present their analysis of a specific and pertinent aspect to the class.
Required texts:
Anne HÉBERT, Oeuvre poétique (1950-1990), ISBN-13: 9782890525207
Michel TREMBLAY, Les belles-soeurs ISBN: 9782742770991 (2742770992)
COLLECTIF, La nef des sorcières, ISBN: 978-2-89295-386-2
Nelly ARCAN, Putain, ISBN: 2020557177 Marc SÉGUIN, Nord Alice, ISBN: 9782760947177