The term ‘stereotype’ means a conventional or formulaic conception or image. In general the expression is used to describe an oversimplified mental picture of some group of people who are sharing certain characteristic (or stereotypical) qualities. It is often used in a negative sense because many people see stereotypes as illogical but deeply held beliefs that can only be changed through education.
Common stereotypes of the past included a variety of allegations about different racial groups and predictions of behaviour based on social status and wealth.
Common stereotypical characters in America are for example the snobbish butler speaking with a British English accent, the overweight, doughnut-eating cop and the drunken Irishman.
But people do not only have stereotypes for persons or groups. They also have developed a generalized mental image of countries or certain regions.
In my research paper I want to identify the common image of the Canadian North and how it has developed.
Furthermore I am going to analyse a selection of the poetry of one of the most famous Canadian writers, Robert Service. The analysis takes place on the basis of the question: Are stereotypical characteristics of the Canadian North reflected in Service’s poems?
Many people state that “Service’s work represents the truth of the gold rush” (Morrison 1998, p. 102), which was one of the most important episodes in the history of the North. But I do not agree with this claim because I have found many elements in his poetry that are either untrue or only stereotypes. I want to prove this thesis with my research paper.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Imagination and reality: how our ideas of the Canadian North are shaped
- The Klondike gold rush as an episode which influenced the image of the North
- The poetry of Robert Service: truth and stereotypes in his works
- "The Shooting of Dan McGrew"
- "The Spell of the Yukon"
- "The Cremation of Sam McGee"
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
The main objective of this research paper is to explore the common image of the Canadian North and how it has developed. The paper aims to analyze the poetry of Robert Service, a renowned Canadian writer, to determine whether stereotypical characteristics of the Canadian North are reflected in his works. The author challenges the common perception that Service’s work accurately represents the "truth" of the Klondike gold rush, arguing that his poetry often contains inaccuracies or stereotypical representations.
- The development of the image of the Canadian North
- Stereotypes and their influence on our understanding of places and people
- The role of the media in shaping perceptions of the North
- The Klondike gold rush as a significant historical event
- The analysis of Robert Service's poetry and its depiction of the North
Chapter Summaries
The paper begins with an introduction that defines the concept of stereotypes and explores their historical and cultural significance. The author then discusses how our perceptions of the Canadian North are shaped by various factors, including media, artistic representations, and historical narratives. This leads to an in-depth examination of the Klondike gold rush and its impact on the image of the North. The author highlights the gold rush as a key historical episode that brought modern technology and urbanization to the region.
The main focus of the paper lies in analyzing the poetry of Robert Service, a prominent figure associated with the Klondike gold rush. The author analyzes three of Service's best-known poems, “The Shooting of Dan McGrew”, “The Spell of the Yukon” and “The Cremation of Sam McGee”. These analyses aim to reveal the extent to which Service's work reflects reality or perpetuates stereotypical representations of the North.
Keywords
The research paper revolves around the following key themes: stereotypes, image of the Canadian North, Klondike gold rush, Robert Service, poetry, truth and fiction, historical representation, media influence, artistic depictions, and cultural perceptions.
- Quote paper
- Rebecca Mahnkopf (Author), 2004, The Reflection of Images and Stereotypes of the Canadian North in the Poetry of Robert Service, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/189405
