Reframing the Evolution of Acadian Literature
Since Marguerite Maillet wrote about the history of Acadian literature in the 1980s, few perspectives on Acadian literature have been published that apply literary theory to minority literatures. However, the cultural life of Canada has experienced many changes in recent decades. These changes need to be taken into account when it comes to Acadian literature.
Dr. Benoit Doyon-Gosselin, Canada Research Chair in Acadian Studies and Minority Communities, aims to use history and sociology to make Acadian literature better known. Doyon-Gosselin is examining the archives of writers and publishers to explore the literary history of Acadia. He is also exploring the relationship between Canada and francophone minorities in Acadia and elsewhere in the country.
As part of his research, Doyon-Gosselin aims to reframe how Acadian literary institutions have evolved, and to analyze the development of culture in Acadia. He plans to take into account the specificity of Acadian culture, while placing it in the broader context of societies that have gone through similar experiences.
Doyon-Gosselin’s research will provide a much-needed update of the importance of Acadian literature in Canadian culture.