hi Mr. Martin,
What i have learned so far is that Canada's history is a lot like that of the U.S. what really surprised me was that they interned the japanese during WWII just like we did. but i like how canda has a democracy just like us as well.

So far the class has been great, and I have learned a lot. For one I did not know that Canada was so diverse, and I love that it was formed by many different people peacefully, that perhaps it does not have the same mentality as the United States. In the next few months I would like to delve deeper into Canadian culture, and I am excited for the trip!

I've found that Canada is a place I would probably want to visit. The culture seems to incorporate all of its people in, instead of shunning some. Also, I was surprised to find that so much of the population is centralized in Quebec and Ontario. Canada differs from us because Canada sems to think more before doing crazy actions.

I didn't know much about Canada before I began this class but have been very interested in the fact that Canada is a country that has maintained its own identity and culture while still embracing diversity.

it seems to me that canada is a very accepting country. The people are very kind and very genuine. When i have traveled to Canada i have noticed that it is a very clean place, that everyone tries their best to keep the land as pure as possible.
In the US i beleive that everyone is afraid of what they dont know. What i mean by that is that most people show aggression or judge people before they even know them if those people the slightest difference in their personality. In Canada i believe that people will not judge...well at least most people will not judge before they get to know the person.

American history has been said at us me many times that it's no longer interesting. Canadian history still has its life, thank goodness, so I can enjoy it, especially when read VWB. Carrying history along with a book makes it more alive.

Hey Mr. Martin,
I sense the people of Canada as very sarcastic, fun loving-yet critical group of people from various origins. I love how they are so accepting of critism in the government and media. I love how Canada's not so gung-ho about being the "best nation in the world". I like how they got democracy, but they don't faunt it. A downside to Canada I would say is location. Cold. Rocky. Takes a certain type a person to brunt that. America on the other hand has nice beaches, plains, forests, deserts. We got it all, man. But overall, Canadians rock. End of story.

I think that overall Canada is a more relaxed country...their history shows that have always been more of a soft (i mean that in a good way) country, who often uses negotation and compromise before force. The country has a very unique sarcastic attitude and sense of humor.. and that Rick Mercer ?sp guy is hilarious. He reminds of Jon Stewart sorta. Its cool how Canada can make fun of itself and it doesnt cause a nationalist uproar.

So far I'm really enjoying GGRW. The weaving style is very well done here, and the clash between the cultures is nicely treated as more complicated then just black and white. There's definately an ubiquitous layer of that 'good-humouredness' that seems to be such a prominent aspect of Canadian culture that makes this novel somewhat playful -amidst its own serious nature. I often find alot of native american literature to be thicker in terms of the surface culture differences, but here I'm impressed with King's ability to 'translate.'

hmm..i thought i had responded to this a while ago but don't see anything of mine up there so better late than never... I have really enjoyed learning about Canada and it's differences and similarities from the U.S. It's sad how little I knew of Candada even though we share the longest undefended border! I am most impressed with Canada's governing system and how one can have individual beliefs and feelings toward a topic and not just think one way because of the party they are labeled under. I also like the vote of nonconfidence Canadians have to quickly change their head government party if they are not happy with it. The U.S. could learn alot from Canada's way of governing.