Canadian poetry

Canadian poetry is poetry written in Canada, by Canadians. There are two distinct branches of Canadian poetry: French-Canadian poetry (mostly written by Québécois authors) and English-Canadian poetry.

English-Canadian Poetry

Beginnings

The earliest works of poetry, mainly written by visitors, described the new territories in optimistic terms, mainly targeted at a European audience. One of the first works was Robert Hayman's Quodlibets, composed in Newfoundland and published in 1628.

Related Topics:
Europe - Robert Hayman - Newfoundland - 1628

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With the growth of English language communities near the end of the 18th century, poetry aimed at local readers began to appear in local newspapers. These writings were mainly intended to reflect the prevailing cultural values of the time and were modeled after English poetry of the same period.

Related Topics:
18th century - English

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In the first half of the 19th century, poetic works began to reflect local subjects. Acadia by Joseph Howe and The Saint Lawrence and the Saguenay by Charles Sangster are examples of this trend. Early nationalistic verses were composed by writers including Thomas D'Arcy McGee.

Related Topics:
19th century - Joseph Howe - Charles Sangster - Thomas D'Arcy McGee

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Confederation

A group of poets now known as the "Confederation poets" began writing following the formation of the new Dominion of Canada in 1867, including Charles G. D. Roberts, Archibald Lampman, Bliss Carman and Duncan Campbell Scott. Choosing the world of nature as their inspiration, their work was drawn from their own experiences and, at its best, written in their own voices.

Related Topics:
Confederation - 1867 - Charles G. D. Roberts - Archibald Lampman - Bliss Carman - Duncan Campbell Scott

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Early 20th Century

During this period, E. Pauline Johnson and Robert W. Service were writing popular poetry - Johnson's based on her English and Mohawk heritage and Service writing tales of the Yukon gold rush.

Related Topics:
E. Pauline Johnson - Robert W. Service - Mohawk - Yukon

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In 1915, John McCrae, serving as a surgeon in the Canadian Army, wrote the famous war poem "In Flanders Fields".

Related Topics:
1915 - John McCrae - In Flanders Fields

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In Newfoundland, E.J. Pratt described the struggle to make a living on the land in poems about maritime life and the history of Canada. Meanwhile, in central Canada, poets such as Ralph Gustafson and Raymond Knister were moving away from traditional verse forms.

Related Topics:
E.J. Pratt - Ralph Gustafson - Raymond Knister

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In the 1930s, A.J.M. Smith and F.R. Scott helped inspire the development of new poetic voices in Montreal through the McGill Fortnightly Review and the anthology New Provinces. The "new poetry" valued intellect over sentimentality. Under the editorship (literary) of Earle Birney, the Canadian Forum helped promote similar developments in Toronto. Dorothy Livesay, born in Manitoba, was an important contributor to the Toronto movement. These two urban centres of literary activity provided fertile ground for the development of later poets such as Irving Layton and Raymond Souster.

Related Topics:
1930s - A.J.M. Smith - F.R. Scott - Montreal - Earle Birney - Toronto - Dorothy Livesay - Manitoba - Irving Layton - Raymond Souster

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Post War

Following World War II, a new breed of poets appeared, writing for a well-educated audience. These included James Reaney, Jay Macpherson and Leonard Cohen. Meanwhile, some maturing authors such as Layton, Souster and Louis Dudek, moved in a different direction, adopting colloquial speech in their work.

Related Topics:
World War II - James Reaney - Jay Macpherson - Leonard Cohen - Louis Dudek - Colloquial

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In the 1960s, a renewed sense of nation helped foster new voices: Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Leonard Cohen, Eli Mandel and Margaret Avison. Others such as Al Purdy and Earle Birney, already published, produced some of their best work during this period.

Related Topics:
1960s - Margaret Atwood - Michael Ondaatje - Leonard Cohen - Eli Mandel - Margaret Avison - Al Purdy - Earle Birney

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A notable anthology of Canadian poetry is The New Oxford book of Canadian Verse, edited by Margaret Atwood (ISBN 0195404505).

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See also: List of Canadian poets

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Literary Prizes

Notable literary prizes for English Canadian poetry include the Governor General's Awards, the Griffin Poetry Prize, the Gerald Lampert Award and the Pat Lowther Award.

Related Topics:
Governor General's Awards - Griffin Poetry Prize - Gerald Lampert Award - Pat Lowther Award

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