Canadian Identity

Words: 1118
Pages: 5

Canada’s sense of identity is immensely assorted and complex, there is a need for a sense of identity because knowing who you are encourages a feeling of purpose and belonging. This gives Canadians eccentricity, complexity and it is what separates this country from the rest of the world. The Identity of Canada is the explanation to what being a Canadian means, and various pieces of writing and outlooks help us answer this not so straightforward question. Canada is filled with people that are living very different lives and dealing with very different problems. Different pieces of Canadian writing have substantial influences on Canada’s sense of identity. Influences such as the way authors let the difficulties of living in Canada impact their …show more content…
For example, in a letter given to the Leader-Post (Regina) by Sabrina Cote one section states, “hurt and pain overcame me. The faces of my friends and family who are now gone, who now have HIV...and those who have nothing in their fridge to eat at this moment, their faces emerged. I was reminded that these things are still not changing.”(Cote 1). Cote is referring to the things she saw in her home in Regina and her writing helps reveal a very uncomfortable and despairing part of Canada. She created one of the many pieces of writing that reveals to us the darker side of Canada and helps to prevent public disregard and ignorance. However, viewpoints and certain pieces of writing also helps us to expose many of the lighthearted and lively parts of Canada. For example in the essay “Where the World Began” Laurence writes “We have only just begun to value ourselves, our land, our abilities. We have only just begun to recognize our legends and give shape to our myths,” (Laurence 3). This quote is a positive viewpoint on Canada because it gives Canadians a sense of hope and potential. It conveys that although there are already so many different things that have happened and are happening in Canada, people have only seen the tip of the iceberg in the country’s development and journey. These divergent views set the mood when on topic of Canada and influence the reaction people have to this