On Living in a Cold Country by Hugh MacLennan And Great Unexpectations by Margaret Atwood - Essay Example

Thesis An autobiography of one’s life stands as a legacy of one’s being. This is especially true on the part of classical authors who decided put their autobiographies in forms of artistic written creations. Hugh McLennan and Margaret Atwood were both classical authors of the English literature. Understanding how they became the fine writers that they are now is indeed a thrill for many readers. Both of the said writers decided to use their poetic skills in creating a written record of their life for the aim pf presenting the said pieces to their beloved readers. Through the said creations, both writers were able to make reading their live’ record a more enjoyable reading to do. Point 1: How Canada Became A Stepping Stone Both writers too could be noted of using their own artistic styles in writing as they presented the different phases of their lives that brought them the courage and the reason to be where they are at present. Being recognized by people, as a fine creator of written pieces is something that many people dream of but only a few realizes the reality of such matter. For Margaret Atwood, realizing this particular possibility in her life was more of like a dream come true. Although it was almost a surprise, Margaret Atwood realized that writing was indeed her first love. She was able to recognize that the years of her life has naturally lead her to becoming aware of her talent and the possibilities that she has in applying what she knows for the greater need of others. As a Canadian, writing was quite a difficult profession to enter. The said society had been noted of not being much conducive of supporting hopeful writers in its history. It is through the sole hoping and pursuing writers of that land that made it possible for Canadian artists to really flourish. Hugh McLennan is also a noted Canadian writer who was more or less recognized by the whole world through his writings that pertain to the society’s aim of becoming peacefully secured all over. His autobiography pertains to the same situation that Atwood needed to deal with as she grew. Both writers needed to deal with the coldness of the Canadian society in honing the writers that bud within their midst. To the said authors, affecting the Canadian literature was indeed a hard matter to consider. But still both writers knew that pursuing their dreams of affecting people through writing would do them better than that of simply listening to what other people say. It is through this that Canada, amidst the environment that it has for writers had actually become one of the most important stepping-stones for both authors of the Canadian literature. As well said by many other writers, it is through challenge that real talent grows from bud to a wonderful fruit of fine beginnings. Point 2: Finding the Right Inspiration and Getting the Right Motivation In his autobiography, McLennan began with the narration of his experience in talking with a writer while in a cruise ship. It is through this particular journey that his aim of becoming more than just a scholar grew and took hold of his life as he grew towards maturity. The words of the writer about his own experiences, his triumphs and mistakes in his path towards becoming a writer actually served as a lesson learned on the part of McLennan. Certainly, it is through this particular thinking that the said classical writer was able to realize that he too could become the writer that he actually wants to be. There was this one thing though that the writer told him about that made him much pushed to pursue his dream of becoming an author of written works. The writer told him the truth about the Canadian society being a “cold country” which he never realized to be true until he himself became a writer. On the other hand, Atwood created a presentation of herself through narrating the regular things that she used to do, the major activities and life’s treasures that brought her to where she is at present. Understandably, it could be observed that her love for writing came gradually. Her realization of the talent that she has grew to fondness that she knew she should give way to. However, life McLennan, she too observed the challenging situation that she has to face as a Canadian writer who simply wants to make a fine contribution to her country and her countrymen. Point 3: Learning from the Writers One particular thing that is the same with these writers was the fact that they never lost track of what they wanted considering that they are living in a society that did not welcome writers so much. They pursued and reached their goals, they never stopped aiming and they survived the challenges. It is through their pursuance of a better status as carriers of the Canadian literary expertise that they became the well-known authors that they are now. It is through their want of becoming what they are that freed the “cold country” from being less interested in its writers who were motivated from their “great unexpectations” in life. Conclusion Anybody is awarded their own chance of living their own dreams. Basing from the autobiographies that both McLennan and Atwood have written, a dream need not be hindered by any social belief that puts one’s dreams into a jeopardized position. Certainly, the perseverance of one to pursue his own dream is the most important factor that should be considered in aiming to understand how one could actually be able to realize the impact of his dreams not only towards himself but also towards the society that he lives in. Through understanding this fact, the efforts of any dreamer would never go to waste, but would turn out to be a successful matter of development for the individual and the human society altogether. References: "Great Unexpectations". Holograph, and 2 word processed drafts with holograph revisions; printed text in Ms, July/Aug. 1987, pp. 78-79, 195-196. HUGH MACLENNAN. On living in a cold Country. Canada. Read More