The difference between the reality and the fantasy can be extreme. Whether it’s what tent you would like to get on trip or the food you’re going to get at dinner, at camp it can seek out the pessimists from the idealists. For everyone under the age of twelve at Wapomeo it is the latter when it comes to answering one question: who are the two most famous people from England ever?
It’s not current queen Elizabeth II. Not even literary grandfather William Shakespeare. The “correct” answer is Daniel Radcliffe and Robert Pattinson. Actors whose anonymity has been stripped from them by Hogwarts in return for the fruits of fortune and fame. The result is a completely fantastical (and utterly ridiculous) view of the stereotypical Englishman. So when they find the tennis floater, washed up on the shores of Ahmek, is a man studying for his Masters instead of his NEWTS and wants to be a journalist not an auror then they are going to be a little disheartened.
It is the same scenario with some female counselors (incidentally who are over twelve) at Wapomeo too. For when Keira Knightley speaks English propa in films like Pride and Prejudice and Atonement she is cementing myths that England still values finishing school and social etiquette rather highly. However this balloon of established actors is weighed down by television shows such as Little Britain and Eastenders which depict a fairer representation.
Chavs in tracksuits. Teenage parents on benefits. Underage drinking (sound familiar?). There is a much more sinister image of England (and probably of Canada) if you are willing to look for it. One not clouded by film and mythical stereotypes. Brendan Fraser doesn’t go around killing mummies in plaid shirts and Hugh Grant doesn’t go “on the pull” equipped with dodgy dentistry. Nevertheless this doesn’t stop these being two of the most fashionable pieces of fiction when it comes to typecasting different nationalities.
Canadians aren’t bearded park rangers equipped with axes to take down bears in Algonquin Park. In Toronto and Montreal life is very different from the rural agenda. This should make pigeon-holing entire nations into one outfit impossible. Wouldn’t you say, eh?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment