09 May 2014

May 27th: Papa Martel

"The survival of any culture depends

in great part on the stories its members tell."



I found this quote in an article developed by Kathleen M. Ashley of the University of Maine for the Maine Humanities Council. The article, Making a Life, Shaping an Identity: Ethnic Americans in Maine, addresses the fact that while we tend to view New Englanders, and Mainers in particular, as a somewhat insular group of "crusty Yankees ... a closer look at history reveals a diverse mix of natives and immigrants from many backgrounds."

Indeed, the 19th century population of Maine comprised many diverse cultures, including various native groups (such as the Maliseet, Abenaki, Penobscot, Micmac, or Passamaquoddy people) as well as immigrants from Canada, Ireland, Finland, Italy, and Sweden.

In the 20th century, that population was joined by immigrants from Armenia, Somalia, Sudan, and many other countries.

Sure, Maine’s population is still largely white and European, but there’s no denying that many different cultures live and thrive here. And to some extent, the survival of those individual cultures depends upon the telling of their stories.

That’s why Papa Martel, which had been out of print for several years was re-published in 2003 by the University of Maine Press after the book wound up on the Baxter Society’s list of 100 books that reveal the history of Maine and the life of its people. And that’s why we’re reading it.*

*That, and the fact that Desmond highly recommended it.

Although it is not a true story, Papa Martel is based in large part on the life of Gerard Robichaud and the stories he told to his army buddies and his wife about his French-Canadian upbringing in Lewiston, Maine. Most of its material is based in fact, and in that way Robichaud managed to capture much of the essence of the Franco-American lifestyle in the early 20th century.


As You Read

I’d like you to consider the following assignment options and come to group with one of them completed and ready to share.

1.   Papa Martel is, first and foremost, the story of a family. Write a short story relating an episode or event from the life of your family. It can be completely factual, as a true autobiography would be, or semi-autobiographical, like Papa Martel.  

2.   As I mentioned, Papa Martel is semi-autobiographical. Do a little research and see what you can find out about Gerard Robichaud. Then put together a list of all the similarities you see between the novel’s characters and events and Robichaud’s life.

3.   We’ve talked a bit about universal themes over the course of this year, specifically the big four:

a.     Individual v. Society
b.     Individual v. Self
c.     Individual v. Individual
d.     Individual v. Nature

Choose two of these themes and explain how you see each of them playing out in Papa Martel.

4.   Although Louis Martel is not traditionally educated and is, in fact, functionally illiterate, he displays great wisdom at many points in the novel. Find at least three examples of Louis’ wisdom. Use quotes from the book (with chapter & page numbers) to reference each of these instances, and then explain why you find Louis’ actions or advice in each situation to be wise.

All right. That’s it for now. Enjoy the book, and I’ll see you on Tuesday, May 27th for our last lit group discussion of the year.


Happy reading!

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