Raymond Knister Criticism
Raymond Knister, born John Raymond Knister in 1899, made significant contributions to Canadian literature as a novelist, short story writer, poet, essayist, and critic. Despite not achieving widespread recognition during his lifetime, Knister has been posthumously acknowledged for his pioneering role in forming a modern Canadian literary voice. His works, often set in rural Canada, are characterized by their realistic portrayal of country life and their expressive yet sometimes symbolically dense style, as noted in A Canadian Novel and Point of View in White Narcissus.
Knister's upbringing on a farm in Ontario deeply influenced his literary themes, grounding his narratives in the lives and struggles of the rural populace. His biographical details, as explored by Marcus Waddington, reveal a profound empathy for farming communities and a commitment to cultural awareness. His move through various cities, including Toronto and Montreal, brought him into contact with other literary figures, enhancing his influence in the Canadian literary scene.
Knister's major works include the novel White Narcissus, which focuses on a writer's attempt to persuade his girlfriend to leave their small town—a narrative praised for its prose but criticized for its heavy symbolism by some reviewers, such as in Beyond Realism: Raymond Knister's White Narcissus. His poetry collection, Collected Poems of Raymond Knister, features vivid depictions of rural landscapes and life, using a direct and conversational style to highlight the extraordinary in the ordinary. Knister's dedication to capturing Canadian life is further emphasized in his statement about creating works as impactful as any global literary figures, a sentiment reflected in his desire to foster a truly Canadian literary identity, as discussed in An Introduction and Comfortably Rural.
Contents
- Principal Works
-
Essays
-
A Canadian Novel
(summary)
In the following review, the critic praises White Narcissus for its expressive prose style, but faults the novel's lack of substance and heavy-handed use of symbolism.
-
Canadian Literati
(summary)
In the following excerpt, written before his death in 1932 and published posthumously, Knister discusses the history and development of Canadian literature, using autobiographical information to describe critical reaction to his works.
-
Raymond Knister: A Biographical Note
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Waddington traces connections between events in Knister's life and works, revealing Knister's profound sympathy and understanding for the farming people with whom he grew up, and his belief that literature should heighten cultural awareness.
-
An introduction
(summary)
In the following excerpt, he surveys Knister's short stories, essays, and reviews.
-
Comfortably Rural
(summary)
In the following review, she praises Knister's diverse talents as a writer and critic, noting the authentic voice, nostalgia, and 'concealed art' in The First Day of Spring.
-
Beyond Realism: Raymond Knister's White Narcissus
(summary)
In the following essay, Denham discusses the gothic and realist elements in White Narcissus.
-
Point of View in White Narcissus
(summary)
In the following essay, Clever notes that Knister's narrative technique in White Narcissus undermines the effectiveness of the novel.
-
A Canadian Novel
(summary)
- Further Reading