This paper offers a compelling examination of Quebec society through the works of Gérard Bessette and Marie-Claire Blais, but certain aspects would benefit from further discussion and collaboration.
One key question is the methodological approach—how were themes identified and analyzed across the selected works? Was there a structured framework, such as discourse analysis or historical contextualization, guiding the interpretation? Clarifying this could provide a stronger foundation for comparison. Additionally, the criteria for text selection remain unclear. Were these novels chosen based on literary influence, historical significance, or thematic alignment? A broader discussion on this could refine the scope of future research.
Another point worth exploring is the interaction between literary narratives and historical events. The study references Quebec’s transformation, but how directly do these novels engage with specific moments, such as the Quiet Revolution or linguistic tensions? Strengthening this link could enhance interdisciplinary insights. Moreover, the comparison between Bessette and Blais focuses on thematic elements but does not fully address how their stylistic choices and narrative structures shape their portrayal of Quebec society. Could further comparative work on realism, symbolism, or narrative experimentation reveal deeper contrasts?
Finally, this discussion could benefit from an interdisciplinary perspective, incorporating sociological and political analyses to provide a more comprehensive view of literature as a reflection of social change. It would be great to hear thoughts from others—how can literary studies engage more deeply with historical and sociopolitical contexts to offer richer interpretations of cultural transformation?