Play To ISU comparison mind map (Balconville and A good man)

1. Ada Tarr, the lawyers wife is kept at home even though she wants to work, she is not allowed due to women being seen as lesser in those times.

2. In the novel, the Canadian soldiers and other white factions see the Sioux as evil savages when they are really just trying to defend their territory. This dehumanization makes it easier to see them as enemies.

3. In the play, the French Canadians see the English as different and others in an excuse to treat them worse and have a rivalry with them, both of these groups treat politicians as others because they treat them poorly with only the politicians interests in mind.

4. Marxism:Hegemony

5. Canadian government in the 1800's is allowing natives to be displaced in purpose of maintaining power. The Sioux fight back against the government soldiers with physical violence.

6. French Canadian government making false promises to keep the people happy, the working class take on the government through political activism.

7. Gender theory:

8. Postcolonialism: Othering

9. Characters:

9.1. Sargeant Walsh can be compared to Paquette in the play. Paquette is a strong willed handyman who gets what he wants and is a strong leader. This is similar to Sargeant Walsh who leads a band of soldiers into unknown territory to ensure a victory at whatever cost.

9.2. Wesley Case can be compared to Tom of the play. Wesley is a family man only following Sargeant Walsh for funds so he can provide for his family. Tom is a free spirit but would do anything for his family, trying his hardest to find a job in a struggling economy and picking up odd jobs on the side.. Still finding time for the things he loves in the meantime.

9.3. Thibault, the neighbourhood bum can be compared to George Sinclair, as they are both travelling bums and beg for money. Thibault offers insight into his way of life to main characters making them not take what they have for granted. George Sinclair tells Wesley how he should go about making Ada Tarr fall in love with him after she divorces her husband.

10. It is a different time in the play balconville, however the women are still expected to stay home and provide instead of work, even though there are not many opporutunities for work anyway due to greedy politicians.

11. Setting

11.1. Novel takes place in 19th century Canada where everyone is struggling for power in order to determine their faction as strongest and which holds the most land. This can lead to controlling means of production. The main character Wesley case lives in harsh wilderness fighting off the Sioux tribe which is native to that land.

11.2. Play takes place in 20th century Canada where three families are struggling to survive during a recession and lack of jobs. They resort to political activism to gain jobs and a steady existence for their family.

12. People are trying to control means of production to guarantee capital for themselves and factions as money can finance their needs

13. Theme comparison:

13.1. Balconville,

13.2. A good man

14. Both share a common theme of survival. Must survive through hardships to be granted a reward, be it providing for your family like in the ISU or holding out on little food and starving for an opportunity to finally feed yourself like in the play

15. Another common theme is love, in both the play and the novel characters sacrifice their livelihoods for their families. Johnny works long hours to provide for his family and his neighbor and friends family.

16. Questions: BY connecting themes can I create an insightful view into the overall and deeper themes of the two books?

17. Do the main characters share any more deeper similarities other than these?

18. Do these lenses and theories provide more insight into the novel?