ﾉvang駘ine: The Many Identities of a Literary Icon (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781771089258)

A thorough exploration of the role of Longfellow's literary icon ﾉvang駘ine and her role in the North American cultural landscape, available for the first time in English.

The eponymous character of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem, ﾉvang駘ine, is an Acadian girl searching for her long-lost love, Gabriel, during the Expulsion of the Acadians (1755-1764). Originally published in 1847, Longfellow's poem throws into sharp relief a dark chapter of Canada's history, while also showcasing a strong female character that has left an indelible mark on generations of Acadians, French Canadians, Cajuns, and Creoles.

Examining aspects both historical and literary that led to ﾉvang駘ine's idolization across countries, cultures, and decades, sociologist Joseph Yvon Th駻iault presents three versions of the celebrated heroine: ﾉvang駘ine the American, ﾉvang駘ine the Acadian, and ﾉvang駘ine the Cajun. The crux of his narrative seeks to understand if these three distinct identities might be merged, and whether they will survive the effects of globalization.

Passionate and engaging, ﾉvang駘ine is a postmodern study on the many interpretations of this literary icon, and the melting pot of cultures she has traversed and influenced. Features a colour photo insert.