To be honest, I hate being forced to read a book for the sake of a project or a “book report” and yes I know what you’re thinking – get used to it. Though despite the fact that I have been doing book reports since I was around eight years old- ten years later I still equally (if not more)detest being forced to read a novel I am not interested in. Especially Canadian authors, I have never had any interest in reading fiction novels either, they do not appeal to me what-so-ever. So obviously, when I got wind of what the ISU was, needless to say I was a little less then enthused.
However, when I came across my novel "Life After God" by Douglas Coupland, I was curious and yet a little angry. The title intimidatly spoke to me, not because I thought it might be interesting - but because I thought it was one of those "anti-religious/God" books I find revolting. So without a thought I picked up the book and glanced at the back cover and the first line I read to myself was " We are the first generation raised without God." Automatically I was ready to argue that statement, because not ALL of us have been raised without god. But as I read a bit further down - "How do we cope with loneliness? Anxiety? The collapse of relationships?" Then I thought to myself... "maybe I shouldn't judge a book by its cover" or better yet - title. I thought to myself maybe this could be an interesting and insightful book - but even if it weren't id still have a strong opinion in it either way.
To my surprise, this novel possessed a very strong and inspiring message. That we as humans are not beyond god (or a higher being). We are still fragile creatures that search for answers to our millions of questions we have on a daily basis. I found this to be a different approach to what is considered a "fiction" novel in the sense that - it wasn't some lame love story that had a predictable plot or ending. It actually has something many novels do not have - SUBSTANCE! For the love of god, finally a fictional novel with an ACTUAL morally based and insightful outlook on the human existence, Hallelujah! Couplands Novel "Life After God" is a refreshing and pleasure to read, I would strongly recommend this novel to anyone - believer or not.
November 23, 2009
Biblography
Explication & Apologia
Coupland, Douglas. Life After God . Toronto: Washington Square Press, 1995. Print.
McEvory, Steven. "Awesome! ." (2007): 1. Web. 23 Nov 2009.
Polti, Georges. "Wordplay." WordPlayer. 1997. Web. 23 Nov 2009
Taylor, Drew. "Book Tip ." Read Me. CC (2002): 3. Web. 23 Nov 2009.
Coupland, Douglas. Life After God . Toronto: Washington Square Press, 1995. Print.
McEvory, Steven. "Awesome! ." (2007): 1. Web. 23 Nov 2009.
Polti, Georges. "Wordplay." WordPlayer. 1997. Web. 23 Nov 2009
Taylor, Drew. "Book Tip ." Read Me. CC (2002): 3. Web. 23 Nov 2009.
Explication of "Life After God"
The most prevalent Dramatic Situation that appears in the short story "Gettysburg" in "Life After God" By Douglas Coupland is Obstacles to love, which consequently is "the Incompatibility of Temper of the Lovers"(Polti). This section was a letter from a father to a daughter about his love for his daughter and why her mother fell out of life with him. The father also goes into the details of honeymoon, her conception, and his contemplates on the major life changes taking place in his life. Its underlined theme is a story of love with a strong religious stance. This section revolves around the failed marriage between the young girl’s mother and father. The obstacles that the couple had to face had obviously taken a toll on their marriage.
Consequently, the daughter is left with many questions, mixed emotions and is at a total loss. While the father has wondered – where has my life gone, "I never thought that we would end up in the suburbs with lawnmowers and swing sets. I never thought that I'd be a lifer at some useless company. But then wasn't this the way of the world? The way of adulthood, of maturity, of bringing up children?" (Coupland). The dream-crushing facts of life are so well-established that they become impossible to change or question without also taking on the very truth and nature of the modern world and the dramatic situation that unfolds as you continue to read the short story. The reader notes that the father of the daughter (also the narrator) is very depressed by the fact he is getting a divorce. Although the impression you receive from the mother regarding her ex-husband is that the love is gone – or never really existed – and that she tried everything in her power to save the marriage, she even remained in a loveless marriage for the sake of her daughter despite her true feelings, "Honey, God is what keeps us together after the love is gone" (Coupland).
This Dramatic situation is also a recurring theme that follows throughout the novel. Not in a literal sense such as the conflicts and situations in the story, but the underlined theme in the novel. The theme in the novel (which has been referred to in the apologia) is lack of faith and in god. In today’s society the ability to love someone or something unconditionally without allowing obstacles to interfere are being tested daily. But the ability to irrevocably love and follow god in modern society is nearly impossible. The obstacles to love are constantly tested and many unforeseen circumstances interfere with not only our judgment but with our faith – which occurs in every short story in “Life After God.”
In summation, the dramatic theme that is the most constant and prevalent is “obstacles to love.” Not only is it a literal theme in a few short stories. Though it is the very foundation of Couplands novel “Life After God.”
Consequently, the daughter is left with many questions, mixed emotions and is at a total loss. While the father has wondered – where has my life gone, "I never thought that we would end up in the suburbs with lawnmowers and swing sets. I never thought that I'd be a lifer at some useless company. But then wasn't this the way of the world? The way of adulthood, of maturity, of bringing up children?" (Coupland). The dream-crushing facts of life are so well-established that they become impossible to change or question without also taking on the very truth and nature of the modern world and the dramatic situation that unfolds as you continue to read the short story. The reader notes that the father of the daughter (also the narrator) is very depressed by the fact he is getting a divorce. Although the impression you receive from the mother regarding her ex-husband is that the love is gone – or never really existed – and that she tried everything in her power to save the marriage, she even remained in a loveless marriage for the sake of her daughter despite her true feelings, "Honey, God is what keeps us together after the love is gone" (Coupland).
This Dramatic situation is also a recurring theme that follows throughout the novel. Not in a literal sense such as the conflicts and situations in the story, but the underlined theme in the novel. The theme in the novel (which has been referred to in the apologia) is lack of faith and in god. In today’s society the ability to love someone or something unconditionally without allowing obstacles to interfere are being tested daily. But the ability to irrevocably love and follow god in modern society is nearly impossible. The obstacles to love are constantly tested and many unforeseen circumstances interfere with not only our judgment but with our faith – which occurs in every short story in “Life After God.”
In summation, the dramatic theme that is the most constant and prevalent is “obstacles to love.” Not only is it a literal theme in a few short stories. Though it is the very foundation of Couplands novel “Life After God.”
November 22, 2009
Apologia
The majority of Canadian literature goes surprisingly unnoticed. Though, many inspiring novels and classic literature are in fact, Canadian. For a novel to be considered part of The Canon of Canadian Literature each novel should have one underlined quality - the novel should reach you on a personal level. Not only should it be innovating and impeccably/creatively written but it should posses qualities that reach you on an emotional playing field - something that successfully captures your heart.
"Life after God by Douglas Coupland" successfully captures your heart and engages you mind all at once. Coupland "is a true chronicler of the twenty-first century, unsurpassed by his piers. Coupland frequently writes on the rise of corporations (Jpod and Microserfs), the frequency of unconventional familial situations and in this book, how we have lost faith, in faith..." (Taylor). Many readers underestimate the potential of Canadian literature and writers, which could possibility big the greatest mistake a reader could make - especially in regards to Coupland. In todays society the lack of faith in god has become more and more prevalent and for the most part accepted among peers. Coupland successfully reaches out to readers and shows them the importance of god in there lives. The subject of god in novels is a very touchy issue, though Coupland approaches many serious issues in a refreshing and conventional way. Surprisingly enough, he does not attempted to force feed his audience with morals or even try to convince readers there is a particular god you should believe in. The entire point of this novel was to express how lonely he feels without a life of faith, and how he needs to reach out to god to feel worthy and happy with himself. Though this book was printed as “fiction” Coupland has openly admitted that it is at least partially autobiographical. He successful orchestrates his beliefs and feelings by telling a series of short stories with the underlined moral that believing in a higher being enhances you as a person and your life - it essentially makes your life whole along with allowing you to gain substantial meaning to you life. Not only does this allow for a reader to pounder about his/hers own beliefs but it inspires you in a way to search for something more.
An exceptionally written novel should always successfully give the reader new and exciting insight on a serious or common issue and sometimes even allow the reader to gain a new perspective of the world they live in. Not only does Coupland convey a strong message though his writing, but Life After God changes your entire perspective on the way you view religion and in some ways even how you live your day to day life. “My hat is off to Coupland and this amazing work of art - on all the levels that it is art of the deepest level. Coupland has created a masterpiece that will become a classic, which will survive through the ages. (McEvory)”
Douglas Couplands’ Novel, “Life After God” belongs in the Canon of Canadian Literature for one simple reason – we as humans all ask the same question, that’s the meaning of life? We all end up “reaching out beyond ourselves in search of some greater meaning in life” (McEvory). Coupland illustrates the meaning of life from the first short story to the next, and attempts to give his readers a possible answer to one of the biggest questions any human can ask themselves. From his writings about a prostitute with no clear desire to live in “My Hotel Year” to his depressed, yet inspirational character who craves freedom and life without worry or guilt in “Things That Fly. Couplands views of the meaning of life are as stated;
“Now – here is my secret:
I tell it to you with an openness of heart I doubt I shall ever achieve again, so I pray that you are in a quiet room as you hear these words. My secret is that I need God - that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem capable of giving; to help me to be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond able to love” (Coupland).
Not only is it his “secret”, but many readers truly interpret his words to be the true meaning of life – to find God in a modern world that is clearly moving farther and farther away from any religious influences. Also, for the teachings of god to give him the strengthen to live up to the moral standards he has set for himself – standards all humans should posses. That is why Coupland has surpassed his reader’s expectations, and “Life After God” should be in the Canadian Cannon of literature.
"Life after God by Douglas Coupland" successfully captures your heart and engages you mind all at once. Coupland "is a true chronicler of the twenty-first century, unsurpassed by his piers. Coupland frequently writes on the rise of corporations (Jpod and Microserfs), the frequency of unconventional familial situations and in this book, how we have lost faith, in faith..." (Taylor). Many readers underestimate the potential of Canadian literature and writers, which could possibility big the greatest mistake a reader could make - especially in regards to Coupland. In todays society the lack of faith in god has become more and more prevalent and for the most part accepted among peers. Coupland successfully reaches out to readers and shows them the importance of god in there lives. The subject of god in novels is a very touchy issue, though Coupland approaches many serious issues in a refreshing and conventional way. Surprisingly enough, he does not attempted to force feed his audience with morals or even try to convince readers there is a particular god you should believe in. The entire point of this novel was to express how lonely he feels without a life of faith, and how he needs to reach out to god to feel worthy and happy with himself. Though this book was printed as “fiction” Coupland has openly admitted that it is at least partially autobiographical. He successful orchestrates his beliefs and feelings by telling a series of short stories with the underlined moral that believing in a higher being enhances you as a person and your life - it essentially makes your life whole along with allowing you to gain substantial meaning to you life. Not only does this allow for a reader to pounder about his/hers own beliefs but it inspires you in a way to search for something more.
An exceptionally written novel should always successfully give the reader new and exciting insight on a serious or common issue and sometimes even allow the reader to gain a new perspective of the world they live in. Not only does Coupland convey a strong message though his writing, but Life After God changes your entire perspective on the way you view religion and in some ways even how you live your day to day life. “My hat is off to Coupland and this amazing work of art - on all the levels that it is art of the deepest level. Coupland has created a masterpiece that will become a classic, which will survive through the ages. (McEvory)”
Douglas Couplands’ Novel, “Life After God” belongs in the Canon of Canadian Literature for one simple reason – we as humans all ask the same question, that’s the meaning of life? We all end up “reaching out beyond ourselves in search of some greater meaning in life” (McEvory). Coupland illustrates the meaning of life from the first short story to the next, and attempts to give his readers a possible answer to one of the biggest questions any human can ask themselves. From his writings about a prostitute with no clear desire to live in “My Hotel Year” to his depressed, yet inspirational character who craves freedom and life without worry or guilt in “Things That Fly. Couplands views of the meaning of life are as stated;
“Now – here is my secret:
I tell it to you with an openness of heart I doubt I shall ever achieve again, so I pray that you are in a quiet room as you hear these words. My secret is that I need God - that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem capable of giving; to help me to be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond able to love” (Coupland).
Not only is it his “secret”, but many readers truly interpret his words to be the true meaning of life – to find God in a modern world that is clearly moving farther and farther away from any religious influences. Also, for the teachings of god to give him the strengthen to live up to the moral standards he has set for himself – standards all humans should posses. That is why Coupland has surpassed his reader’s expectations, and “Life After God” should be in the Canadian Cannon of literature.
November 07, 2009
Links & Welcome
You need to learn the rules of capitalization really quickly. "I" must always be capitalized. Always. And, if you're referring to "a god" then you can use lowercase letters, but generally if you're referring to the "God", then you should capitalize it. Some organizational challenges arose in trying to set up the links list.
October 26, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog. I have Chosen to do my ISU on Douglas Couplands "Life After God." The reason I chose this novel is because it seem completely against anything I would enjoy reading, so I wanted to give myself a challenge. To my surprise, I found this novel is the complete opposite to what I initially thought it was. I suppose I proved that you should never judge a book by its cover. The purpose of my blog is to show you my views on Douglas Couplands' Novel. I have made an effort to form a personal connection to "Life After God" because I found it to be the most challenging connection to make, seeing as I grew up in a home with god, and the novel surrounds the idea of god not being present in todays society.
News Ariticle - The Star
Douglas Coupland, Canada's most patriotic cynic
Douglas Coupland is probably this country's best-known cultural multi-tasker: novelist, playwright, actor, TV producer, screenwriter, furniture designer, coiner of zeitgeist-defining terms ("McJob" was his, drawn from his equally lexiconic first novel, Generation X) and – oh, right – artist.
Not that his art career is an afterthought. It is art that brings Coupland to Toronto today for the twofold purpose of opening a show of his work at Clark & Faria (formerly the Monte Clark Gallery), and surveying the colossal installation of public art he's spent the last few years working on amid the Concord Cityplace condo development.
The former is smallish, the latter huge – at eight acres, by some accounts, the largest privately funded public art commission in the country, ever.
Let's start with the small. At Clark & Faria, Coupland's main preoccupation is parsing his relationship with an artist who would appear to be his direct forebear, Andy Warhol. This comes through in ways that are direct – silk-screened copies of Warhol's portrait of Marilyn Monroe, besieged by food labels or skateboard stickers or, in one case, an array of tiny cartoon flowers – and much more subtle and eerie.
The Marilyn series is called "Matricide;" in an equally dark parental reference, a series of gilt-framed wigs – one layer dark, the other Warhol-esque peroxide blond – is called "Patricide." Whether Coupland is defacing or eviscerating Warhol's project in an attempt to break free, or indulging in homage, is for you to decide.
"Warhol is obviously a huge figure in the art world," he wrote via email, "obviously, so much so, that artists often choose not to go near issues like repetition and mass culture ... it's almost a form of self-censorship. I just thought I'd bring it all out into the open with the wigs and Marilyns and Bills."
There's more here, too, all of it glitteringly seductive and candy-colourful – a series of "Talking Sticks," assembled of children's word blocks, spell things like "Quit Your Job," "Define Normal" and "Hot Shit" – but not without a touch of melancholy.
Coupland's dabbling in mass-produced sameness can't help but elicit lament. Coupland calls it a manifestation of "the kind of depressing legislated creativity that arises from big-box craft stores ... how to do something anarchical with flower stickers? That's a real challenge."
Meanwhile, out there, a different, less depressing vision is taking place. In his Souvenir of Canada books, seemingly cynical Coupland surprised many with his achingly earnest assemblage of consumer-culture Canada. From Canada Goose lawn sculptures to stubby beer bottles, the sense was a man who has taken even our most clichéd throwaways to heart.
So what to expect at the massive Concord Cityplace Park? It's mostly speculation at this point, but if you drive along the Gardiner Expressway, you'll get a taste: Way up high, a huge red canoe, beefed up, cartoon-style, made stubby and wide; and over a machine-contoured hillock, a stand of colourfully striped, man-sized spools that Coupland said were fishing bobbers. The park is due to open in September. Encircling it will be a walking path named for another icon of Canadiana and Coupland hero: the Terry Fox Miracle Mile.
At 3 1/2 years from start to finish, it was surely a challenge to the fast-moving Coupland. "I've never done anything with such a long timeline," he wrote. "I also had to learn about things like what sort of lawnmowers Metro parks people use and the thousands of minor issues involved with urban situations. Lighting. Dogs. Noise. Light. It was a learning curve."
Cynically inclined critic of mass-produced culture, or shamelessly earnest nation-booster – can the real Doug Coupland ever please stand up? The thing is, he may well be already – performing the previously-thought-impossible task of standing in two places at once.
Douglas Coupland is probably this country's best-known cultural multi-tasker: novelist, playwright, actor, TV producer, screenwriter, furniture designer, coiner of zeitgeist-defining terms ("McJob" was his, drawn from his equally lexiconic first novel, Generation X) and – oh, right – artist.
Not that his art career is an afterthought. It is art that brings Coupland to Toronto today for the twofold purpose of opening a show of his work at Clark & Faria (formerly the Monte Clark Gallery), and surveying the colossal installation of public art he's spent the last few years working on amid the Concord Cityplace condo development.
The former is smallish, the latter huge – at eight acres, by some accounts, the largest privately funded public art commission in the country, ever.
Let's start with the small. At Clark & Faria, Coupland's main preoccupation is parsing his relationship with an artist who would appear to be his direct forebear, Andy Warhol. This comes through in ways that are direct – silk-screened copies of Warhol's portrait of Marilyn Monroe, besieged by food labels or skateboard stickers or, in one case, an array of tiny cartoon flowers – and much more subtle and eerie.
The Marilyn series is called "Matricide;" in an equally dark parental reference, a series of gilt-framed wigs – one layer dark, the other Warhol-esque peroxide blond – is called "Patricide." Whether Coupland is defacing or eviscerating Warhol's project in an attempt to break free, or indulging in homage, is for you to decide.
"Warhol is obviously a huge figure in the art world," he wrote via email, "obviously, so much so, that artists often choose not to go near issues like repetition and mass culture ... it's almost a form of self-censorship. I just thought I'd bring it all out into the open with the wigs and Marilyns and Bills."
There's more here, too, all of it glitteringly seductive and candy-colourful – a series of "Talking Sticks," assembled of children's word blocks, spell things like "Quit Your Job," "Define Normal" and "Hot Shit" – but not without a touch of melancholy.
Coupland's dabbling in mass-produced sameness can't help but elicit lament. Coupland calls it a manifestation of "the kind of depressing legislated creativity that arises from big-box craft stores ... how to do something anarchical with flower stickers? That's a real challenge."
Meanwhile, out there, a different, less depressing vision is taking place. In his Souvenir of Canada books, seemingly cynical Coupland surprised many with his achingly earnest assemblage of consumer-culture Canada. From Canada Goose lawn sculptures to stubby beer bottles, the sense was a man who has taken even our most clichéd throwaways to heart.
So what to expect at the massive Concord Cityplace Park? It's mostly speculation at this point, but if you drive along the Gardiner Expressway, you'll get a taste: Way up high, a huge red canoe, beefed up, cartoon-style, made stubby and wide; and over a machine-contoured hillock, a stand of colourfully striped, man-sized spools that Coupland said were fishing bobbers. The park is due to open in September. Encircling it will be a walking path named for another icon of Canadiana and Coupland hero: the Terry Fox Miracle Mile.
At 3 1/2 years from start to finish, it was surely a challenge to the fast-moving Coupland. "I've never done anything with such a long timeline," he wrote. "I also had to learn about things like what sort of lawnmowers Metro parks people use and the thousands of minor issues involved with urban situations. Lighting. Dogs. Noise. Light. It was a learning curve."
Cynically inclined critic of mass-produced culture, or shamelessly earnest nation-booster – can the real Doug Coupland ever please stand up? The thing is, he may well be already – performing the previously-thought-impossible task of standing in two places at once.
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