Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Hispanic Studies

Supervisor

Rafael Montano

Abstract

This dissertation examines a sample of 21st century Hispano-Canadian literature that focuses on the theme of migration. The first chapter presents a brief historical survey of the migration of Spanish speaking individuals to Canada, as well as the description of the current state of the Hispano-Canadian literature and its challenges. The second chapter explores the representations of the past and the land of origin as well as the representation of Canada that is presented in thirteen short stories. The third chapter analyzes Gabriela Etcheverry’s autobiographical novel Latitudes, both as as a testimony and practice of the poetics of exile, as well as an assertion of citizenship. The fourth and last chapter of the dissertation is dedicated to the concepts of hybridization and transculturation. To explore these concepts, it examines how they manifest through Canadian official languages as well as Spanish using the two trilingual book of poems by Alejandro Saravia: Lettres de Nootka y L’homme polyphonique. In conclusion, in spite of the generational differences, the different ways in which the authors face the challenges of living outside their country of birth, and the use of different languages other than Spanish for the conception of their works, it can be asserted that the Hispano-Canadian literature will not cease to exist. Moreover, it is evident that the Hispano-Canadian literature has already began to undergo changes, which will continue to occur in the future, thus opening new pathways for this literature and its authors.

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