Poets on the Hill: A Contemporary Exploration of Canadian Political Poetry in English

Abstract

<p>In this thesis, I investigate Canadian poetry that is explicitly about the political (politicians, political parties, or political policies) written in English. I begin by defining political poetry and its aims in Canada and then progress through an examination of three collections of poetry and one poem: <em>The Blasted Pine</em>; <em>Howl Too, Eh?</em>; and <em>Rogue Stimulus</em>. This allows for a comprehensive look at how political poetry has evolved in Canada from a pointed and critical genre that aims to mock and argue to a more subtle, playful genre that utilizes parody and wit. It also demonstrates the evolution and complication of voice in political poetry, given that each poem contains the voice of the poet, the speaker, the public, and the political.</p> <p>I argue that political poetry in Canada is not poetry as dissent, protest, or witness, but rather poetry as inquiry/commission (in the political sense). This definition relies on the fact that Canadian political poetry seeks to ascribe accountability for political actions and decisions and utilizes the poet as spokesperson, speaking for the public to the political (and the public in turn). Canadian political poetry hence arises out of a demand from the public, much like political inquiries do, and through the satirical use of politically correct language and explicit political references calls for action from the political sphere and the public. I further argue that poetry as inquiry also comments on the public itself (including the author/speaker as a member of that public) and that political poetry is transideological.</p>