In Search of a Prairie Myth: A Survey of the Intellectual and Cultural Historiography of Prairie Canada

Abstract

This historiographical article examines what has been done and suggests topics that still need to be done in the study of the intellectual and cultural history of prairie Canada. It divides die literature into four themes — regional identity, protest, social reform, and imagery — and surveys the major books and articles in each theme that have made a contribution to the field. The article deals with both standard books in the field and works not necessarily defined as intellectual or cultural history but which nevertheless offer insight into the subject by discussing some aspect of the political or social ideas or culture, and thus contribute to the study of prairie intellectual or cultural history.