L'Irlandais dans le roman québécois

The author traces the evolution of the character of the Irishman in Franco-Quebec literature from 1837 to 1970. According to the author, in the nineteenth century and first half of the twentieth century, the ordinary Irishman is described as: "tour à tour meurtrier, ivrogne, violent, vantard et 'maître de boxe' [sic] ou soldat de sa Majesté britannique" (alternately a murderer, drunkard, violent, boastful and boxing master or soldier of His British Majesty). The more well-off Irish during this period, merchants and traders, are described as obsessed with money and social success. Irish women are described as either a sinful woman or a severe wife. Both classes are seen as identifying with their own ethnic group - Anglophone and Catholic. By the 1960s, however, the author argues that Franco-Quebec writers portray the Irish with humour because, post-Quiet Revolution, this former linguistic and ethnic adversary is no longer seen as a threat to Francophones.

Études irlandaises

No. 2

117-123

Décembre 1977

fr