“Memory and Dream: The Paradigm of the Katàbasis in Canadian Poetry”

"Memory and Dream: The Paradigm of the Katàbasis in Canadian Poetry'" by Biancamaria Rizzardi explores the interplay between memory and dream as fundamental tools for historical and poetic exploration within Canadian literature. She examines how these concepts have shaped Canadian poetry's engagement with issues of national identity, cultural awakening and creative regeneration, particularly in the post-World War II era. Using the Orphic theme of katàbasis (descent into the underworld), Rizzardi explores the profound impact of this metaphorical journey on Canadian poets and their works, highlighting its role in reconciling the poet's identity with the land and history. The essay identifies a creative 'explosion' in the mid-twentieth century as a turning point that fostered a distinctive Canadian poetic voice characterised by introspection, a connection with the wilderness, and a commitment to social justice and universal human values. Through this analysis, Rizzardi underscores the transformative power of poetry to reflect and shape collective memory and cultural identity.