Issue Details
Ghetto Regionalism and the Struggle for Self-Definition in Mordecai Richler’s Montreal
Veena Jangra, Dr. B. K. Jha
Page No. : 1-5
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the concept of ghetto regionalism in Mordecai Richler’s portrayal of Montreal, focusing on how the city’s Jewish immigrant community navigates the complex dynamics of identity, survival, and cultural assertion. Richler’s works, particularly The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1959) and St. Urbain’s Horseman (1971), provide rich narratives that illustrate how marginalized communities construct their identities within confined urban spaces. The study examines how Richler’s depiction of ghettoized regions functions not only as a literal and socio-economic boundary but also as a symbolic site of resistance, cultural preservation, and self-definition. The paper argues that Richler’s representation of Montreal’s Jewish community is crucial for understanding the broader challenges of assimilation and self-assertion in postwar Canadian literature, illustrating the tensions between cultural conformity and the struggle for authentic self-expression.
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