What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?
The setting of the book is St. John's, Newfoundland. I think the setting is unique because most books are set in the United states, or if in Canada, they are set in a big city like Toronto or Montreal. I think it added to the story in two different ways. It made the book interesting. Not only were readers learning about the characters but readers were learning about a part of Canada, not commonly known. In addition, it gave the reader insight into why the characters were what they were. Newfoundland shapes its citizens because of it's climate, its island geography and its economy.
In what ways do the events of the book reveal evidence of the author's world view?
I believe the events in the story reveal many thing about the author. The Ryans are a strong Catholic family. Wayne Johnston grew up in a Catholic family. Wayne describes the intricate relationships between the family members perfectly, suggesting he has real life experience in dealing with interpersonal family issues growing up. He was born in St. John's, Newfoundland the same place this story takes place in. The Divine Ryans is strongly influenced by Wayne Johnston's life experiences and views.
How do the Characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?
The characters in The Divine Ryans change throughout the book. The two most noticeable changes in character throughout the book were Draper and Linda. Draper’s widowed mother, Linda, experiences a change in character. She becomes stronger in her beliefs, more independent and strong willed. In the beginning of the book, Linda was a weak creature. She let Aunt Phil bully her. Aunt Phil made decisions and choices against Lindas will and her wishes for her child, while Linda sat meekly back not raising her voice. Linda was distant from her children, shut inside herself. Slowly throughout the book, Linda regains her confidence. She starts waking the kids up at night to have secret meetings. In the meeting she laughs with the kids, playing dress up with Father Seymour and Aunt Phils underwear. The most drastic change happens when Aunt Phil threatens to go to court and declare Linda unfit to be a mother, thus taking away her kids. Linda finally stands up for herself and takes the kids away from their dysfunctional and damaging family.
How is this book uniquely Canadian and how might it speak differently to Canadians than people in other countries? And/or how does this book not depend on nationality?
This piece of literature is uniquely Canadian. Canada has a strong foundation in immigration. All Canadians except the First Nations are immigrant or decedents from immigrants. Because of this a major theme in Canadian writing is characters who immigrated. The Ryan family immigrated from Ireland. Draper’s grandfather was the first Ryan to build a life in Canada. In the book, the Ryan family, who are Catholic, are in a conflict with their next door neighborhood the Barter family, who are Protestant. Their religious prejudice stems from their Irish heritage. In addition, a northern environment is another main theme in Canadian literature. The Ryans’are an enclosed and withdrawn family, a characteristic of a northern based climate culture. Also the book is set in Newfoundland, a Canadian province recognized for its rocks, harsh winters and fishing; all Canadian constants. Readers in other countries will not understand the Newfoundland culture which is the setting of The Divine Ryans. Newfoundland is very isolated, they live on a island. It’s a rural population with few major urban centers. This forces the civilization to be self-reliant. Their winters are long, harsh and cold. Poverty is an economic reality in much of Newfoundland. As a Canadian, we understand this and what makes the characters who they are.
The setting of the book is St. John's, Newfoundland. I think the setting is unique because most books are set in the United states, or if in Canada, they are set in a big city like Toronto or Montreal. I think it added to the story in two different ways. It made the book interesting. Not only were readers learning about the characters but readers were learning about a part of Canada, not commonly known. In addition, it gave the reader insight into why the characters were what they were. Newfoundland shapes its citizens because of it's climate, its island geography and its economy.
In what ways do the events of the book reveal evidence of the author's world view?
I believe the events in the story reveal many thing about the author. The Ryans are a strong Catholic family. Wayne Johnston grew up in a Catholic family. Wayne describes the intricate relationships between the family members perfectly, suggesting he has real life experience in dealing with interpersonal family issues growing up. He was born in St. John's, Newfoundland the same place this story takes place in. The Divine Ryans is strongly influenced by Wayne Johnston's life experiences and views.
How do the Characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?
The characters in The Divine Ryans change throughout the book. The two most noticeable changes in character throughout the book were Draper and Linda. Draper’s widowed mother, Linda, experiences a change in character. She becomes stronger in her beliefs, more independent and strong willed. In the beginning of the book, Linda was a weak creature. She let Aunt Phil bully her. Aunt Phil made decisions and choices against Lindas will and her wishes for her child, while Linda sat meekly back not raising her voice. Linda was distant from her children, shut inside herself. Slowly throughout the book, Linda regains her confidence. She starts waking the kids up at night to have secret meetings. In the meeting she laughs with the kids, playing dress up with Father Seymour and Aunt Phils underwear. The most drastic change happens when Aunt Phil threatens to go to court and declare Linda unfit to be a mother, thus taking away her kids. Linda finally stands up for herself and takes the kids away from their dysfunctional and damaging family.
How is this book uniquely Canadian and how might it speak differently to Canadians than people in other countries? And/or how does this book not depend on nationality?
This piece of literature is uniquely Canadian. Canada has a strong foundation in immigration. All Canadians except the First Nations are immigrant or decedents from immigrants. Because of this a major theme in Canadian writing is characters who immigrated. The Ryan family immigrated from Ireland. Draper’s grandfather was the first Ryan to build a life in Canada. In the book, the Ryan family, who are Catholic, are in a conflict with their next door neighborhood the Barter family, who are Protestant. Their religious prejudice stems from their Irish heritage. In addition, a northern environment is another main theme in Canadian literature. The Ryans’are an enclosed and withdrawn family, a characteristic of a northern based climate culture. Also the book is set in Newfoundland, a Canadian province recognized for its rocks, harsh winters and fishing; all Canadian constants. Readers in other countries will not understand the Newfoundland culture which is the setting of The Divine Ryans. Newfoundland is very isolated, they live on a island. It’s a rural population with few major urban centers. This forces the civilization to be self-reliant. Their winters are long, harsh and cold. Poverty is an economic reality in much of Newfoundland. As a Canadian, we understand this and what makes the characters who they are.
