French Literature Reviews - 2026

The Regionalist Movement in Quebec Literature (1902–1940)
Other Literary Studies

Maurice LEMIRE, Le mouvement régionaliste dans la littérature québécoise (1902-1940), Québec, Nota Bene (Hors Collection - Lettres), 2007.
ISBN 978-2-89518-257

ABSTRACT

To what extent can regionalism be treated as a literary movement that shaped Quebec literature for nearly half a century? Many literary historians have simply dismissed the regionalist movement on the grounds that it produced no works of lasting value. Viewed primarily as ideological, it has often been deemed unworthy of literature proper. Consequently, Maurice Lemire's focus here is not so much on the literary value of regionalism as on the place it deserves within literary history.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Professor Emeritus at Université Laval and research fellow at the Centre de recherche interuniversitaire sur la littérature et la culture québécoises (CRILCQ), Maurice Lemire directed the Dictionnaire des œuvres littéraires du Québec for fifteen years and has co-directed the research project on literary life in Quebec (La vie littéraire au Québec) since 1987. Author of numerous books and articles, he received the Prix Gérard-Morisset in 1995.

Regionalism in Quebec literature emerged during the early twentieth century as a prominent intellectual and cultural current, often characterized by its emphasis on rural life and traditional values. This movement frequently faced criticism from historians who prioritized aesthetic innovation over the ideological commitments inherent in regionalist writing. Readers interested in the evolution of nationalist discourse and the institutionalization of Quebec literature may find this historical overview relevant to their research.

The debate surrounding regionalism highlights a recurring challenge in literary historiography: how to evaluate movements that are primarily defined by their socio-political impact rather than their formal experimentation. Maurice Lemire's study examines the regionalist movement between 1902 and 1940, focusing on the place it deserves within literary history rather than on the literary value of the works themselves.