The Techno-Demons: Nature's Demise in the Poetry of Lampman, Pratt, Scott, and Birney.
The urbanisation and industrialisation of Canada brought with them a rise in the thematic importance of technology in the nation's literature. As the negative consequences of these processes began to be seen very clearly, poets increasingly spoke out against the trend in their imaginative work. Nature is typically cast as a formerly exalted and redeeming entity which technology, the sum of man's scientific 'progress', has sullied. Humans, who need nature in order to fully realise themselves and their happiness, have lost out critically in this transition, the poets imply. Analysing a number of short poems by Lampman, Pratt, Scott, and Birney, this paper will consider the characterisation of nature and technology which, resoundingly, conforms to the notions expressed above. 5 pgs. 12 f/c. 4b.