Colonial Life

Because the novel is set in colonial Quebec, much of the narrative functions to illustrate salient dynamics of colonial life, with particular emphasis on the contradictory dynamics that inevitably arise between a colony and its motherland. The novel begins to explore these conflicting dynamics in the very first scene, as the narration connects Euclide’s observations to ideas of simultaneous connection and separation between colony and motherland. For example, as Euclide watches the last ships sail away, the narration states, “Now for eight months the French colony on this rock in the North would be entirely cut off from Europe, from the world” (3). Due to distance and practical limitations, Quebec can only communicate and trade with France during four months out of the year. Thus, while the motherland of France is Quebec’s main partner in mutual support, Quebec must be entirely self-sufficient for most...