Alistair MacLeod, born in 1935, is a famous Canadian short story writer, who published three short story compilations, a novel and an illustrated Christmas story. He spent most of his youth in the maritime province of Nova Scotia, which lies on the Atlantic coast of Canada. Putting all of his passion into his work as a writer, he created several short stories which take place in rural maritime areas he knows from his youth. All his stories deal with similar themes and characters, showing their lives, the hardship and their work circumstances as fishermen, farmers or miners, providing an insight of maritime life and culture. Nature, family tragedies and differences between traditional and modern lifestyles are also recurring themes.
Certain contrasts are especially obvious in the short story “The Return” from the short story collection “The Lost Salt Gift of Blood” published in 1976. The storyline is about the little boy Alex and his upper class family from Montreal, who make a journey to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia to visit relatives, and contains many examples about how the urban and rural areas differ. Narrated and perceived by Alex, whose father Angus has his roots on the island, this theme is dealt with in many cases. The contrast “[...] is not only limited to the Maritime culture [though]; it is something that can be universally understood” (Mallorylee 2008). It is the general way of life of the people which is so contrasting even though they live in the same country.
First of all, I am going to show the general characteristics of the two distinct worlds the protagonists live in. Afterwards, the focus lies on the several differences between the two worlds according to clothing, alcohol, gender roles, time, family structure and language. Analyzing the characters, I am going to point out certain characteristics, which show clearly, why the people belong to two contrastive worlds. Finally, I will conclude the analyzed contrasts and try to determine which world is the better one in the end.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Two Different Worlds
3. Cultural Differences between the Worlds
4. Differences between the Characters
4.1 Mary:
4.2 Angus:
4.3 The two Grandfathers:
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the fundamental dichotomy between traditional and modern lifestyles as depicted in Alistair MacLeod's short story "The Return." Through the narrative perspective of the protagonist Alex, the work explores how urban, upper-class existence in Montreal clashes with the rural, survival-oriented culture of Cape Breton Island, ultimately questioning the possibility of reconciling these two disparate worlds.
- Contrast between urban and rural environments
- Sociological differences in family structures and gender roles
- The impact of socioeconomic status and education on personal identity
- Cultural preservation versus modern assimilation
- The psychological struggle of navigating between past and future
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Angus:
Alex´ father Angus and his parents have a difficult relationship. With his brother Alex, Angus is the only person from the family, who has gone through a complete transformation. He once lived on Cape Breton Island, living a rural life with traditions and hardship. Nevertheless, he and his brother had other plans and “[...] wanted to go to college […]” to be “[...] something else […] (81)”. Angus made the choice to educate himself, asking his father for financial help. Afterwards, he left the Island completely changing his lifestyle and leaving his past behind, starting a new life in the modern world. As a result, he moved to Montreal, became a successful lawyer, co-working with another respected lawyer who simultaneously is his father-in-law.
To achieve a full transition, Angus had to change his habits, stopping the chewing of tobacco which was “more difficult than […] [one] will ever know” (88). The society in Montreal would not accept Angus if he would have maintained this “[...] filthy habit [...]” (87) and that is why he had to sacrifice this part of himself to become a member of the modern world.
Nevertheless, Angus still loves his homeland but has problems to show his emotions. During the journey, for example, he is completely overwhelmed, shouting “[...] there´s Cape Breton!” (73) and even hurting Alex unintentionaly due to his excitement (73).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction provides biographical context on Alistair MacLeod and outlines the analytical focus on the contrasts between traditional and modern lifestyles in the short story "The Return."
2. Two Different Worlds: This chapter highlights the physical and environmental differences between the urban setting of Montreal and the rural landscape of Cape Breton Island, noting the influence of nature on the residents.
3. Cultural Differences between the Worlds: The chapter explores sociological contrasts, specifically examining clothing, alcohol consumption, gender roles, and the influence of language and family structures.
4. Differences between the Characters: This section details how the contrasting values of the two worlds are embodied by individual characters through their behaviors and reactions to their surroundings.
4.1 Mary: The chapter analyzes Mary’s upper-class identity, her dissatisfaction with rural life, and her protective, often rigid, maternal attitude.
4.2 Angus: This chapter discusses Angus’ internal conflict as an individual who has successfully transitioned from his traditional roots into the modern world but remains psychologically burdened by his past.
4.3 The two Grandfathers: The chapter contrasts the traditional, working-class patriarch of Cape Breton with the affluent, modern lawyer from Montreal, focusing on their distinct approaches to appearance, education, and family authority.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, noting that the story presents a balanced, albeit painful, view of the challenges of modernity, where the choice between two worlds entails inevitable loss.
Keywords
Alistair MacLeod, The Return, Canadian Literature, Cape Breton, Montreal, Traditionalism, Modernity, Cultural Contrast, Family Structure, Gender Roles, Socioeconomic Status, Rural-Urban Divide, Identity, Gaelic, Assimilation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
This paper focuses on the cultural and lifestyle contrasts between the rural, traditional environment of Cape Breton Island and the modern, urban society of Montreal as represented in Alistair MacLeod's short story "The Return."
Which thematic fields are central to the analysis?
The central themes include the clash between the modern and traditional world, the significance of family cohesion versus individualism, gender roles, and the socioeconomic impact of urban versus rural living.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The primary goal is to analyze how the protagonists navigate these two different worlds and to understand how these environments shape their identities and interpersonal relationships.
Which methodology is employed in the analysis?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, focusing on character development, symbolism, and sociological observations derived directly from the primary text and supported by secondary academic references.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the environmental differences, cultural habits such as clothing and language, the societal structure of the family as a clan, and a detailed look at the character traits of Mary, Angus, and the grandfathers.
Which keywords define the scope of the paper?
Key terms include traditionalism, modernity, Canadian literature, rural identity, class status, and the struggle of assimilation.
How does the author interpret the symbol of the "mottled brown gull"?
The gull represents Alex’s family, who, like the bird, is surrounded by the people of Cape Breton but remains an outsider, visibly and behaviorally distinct from the island inhabitants.
What is the significance of the "lost collar button" metaphor for Angus?
The lost button symbolizes Angus himself, suggesting that by leaving his rural heritage to live in the modern world, he has become permanently detached from his roots and cannot fully return to his former life.
How is the "clan" system reflected in the family dynamic?
The grandfather acts as a traditional clan chief, exercising authority over his many sons and maintaining strong family ties that rely on physical labor and shared traditions, which stands in stark contrast to Angus's small, modern nuclear family.
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- Tom Keller (Autor:in), 2011, Differences Between the Traditional and the Modern World in Alistair McLeod's "The Return", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/319477
