Ideals of Religion and Art in Sinclair Ross's 'As for me and my house'

Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,3, University of Marburg, course: Canadian Literature, language: English, abstract: This term paper analyzes ideals of religion and art based on the novel of Sinclair RossAs for me and my house.The plot is set during the Great Depression in Canada and is about two artists that have been married since twelve years and presently live in a small town called Horizon. Philip Bentley, the minister of the town's church, devotes his spare time to painting and his wife who takes care of the household plays the piano once in a while at home, but gave up her career as a musician. There can be no denying the fact that a society and its culture and values affect and influence peoples' life to a certain extent. Therefore, as starting point cultural and regional aspects determining men's life during the Great Depression that took place from 1929 until 1939 will be dealt with. At a second step I will have a closer look at religion and art as creative powers. Subsequently, an analysis of the novel in question will face Philip Bentley's view of religion and his vision of an artist through the eyes of his wife, the narrator of the story. In chapter three parallels between religion and art will be drawn based on definitions by renowned philosophers. Finally, as a conclusion I will sum up the crucial points of religion and art identified.