An exploration of how Canadian identity and values are portrayed in American fiction, often as a counterpoint to the perceived excesses and dangers of American society.
The idea of the United States annexing Canada , while currently improbable, has long haunted the imaginations of fiction creators. This fear, particularly prominent in American works, suggests a deeper anxiety about potential hostility from our northern neighbor. Even though the U.S. possesses nuclear weapons and Canada does not, fictional U.S./ Canada conflicts often portray Americans as more fearful of aggression than Canadians.
One example is Michael Moore's satirical film, 'Canadian Bacon,' where a U.S. president, desperate for a boost in popularity, fabricates a threat from Canada, ultimately leading to a comical yet absurd war. Similarly, David Foster Wallace's sprawling novel 'Infinite Jest' depicts a future where Canada and Mexico have merged with the U.S. to form a super-nation, O.N.A.N., with the Americans seemingly in control. This fictionalized union, however, isn't a harmonious one, as Canada finds itself saddled with the responsibility of managing a toxic waste site known as the Great Concavity.Other works, like the 'South Park' movie 'Bigger, Longer & Uncut,' and Brian K. Vaughan's comic book series 'The Littlest Robo,' explore dystopian scenarios where the U.S. either instigates a war against Canada or occupies the country. Even in these works, the portrayal often leans toward the U.S. being less intelligent, more militaristic, and generally more unfavorable than Canada. Interestingly, Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel 'The Handmaid's Tale,' while originally focused on a totalitarian U.S., was adapted into a television series that emphasizes Canada as a refuge from the oppressive American regime. This recurring theme in fiction, where Canada emerges as a beacon of hope or a more sensible alternative, speaks to a deeper societal anxiety about the consequences of unchecked American power and the desire for a more egalitarian and peaceful world
CANADA UNITED STATES FICTION DYSTOPIA WAR ANNEXATION SOCIAL ANXIETY
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