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Gabrielle Roy

21quotes

Gabrielle Roy: A Pioneering Canadian Novelist


Full Name and Common Aliases


Gabrielle Roy was born as Madeleine Géraldine Lajeunesse on March 22, 1909. She is commonly known by her pen name, Gabrielle Roy.

Birth and Death Dates


March 22, 1909 – July 13, 1983

Nationality and Profession(s)


Canadian novelist, short story writer, and playwright. Roy's work is widely regarded as some of the most significant contributions to Canadian literature in the 20th century.

Early Life and Background


Born in Saint-Boniface, Manitoba, Canada, Gabrielle Roy grew up in a French-Canadian family. Her early life was marked by hardship and loss: her father died when she was just seven years old, leaving her mother to raise their six children on her own. Despite these challenges, Roy's love for reading and writing was nurtured from an early age. She began writing stories as a teenager and went on to study at the University of Manitoba, where she honed her craft.

Major Accomplishments


Gabrielle Roy's literary career spanned over five decades, during which she produced numerous novels, short stories, and plays that explored themes of identity, community, and social justice. Her works often reflected her experiences as a Franco-Manitoban woman living in a predominantly Anglophone society.

Notable Works or Actions


Some of Roy's most notable works include:

The Tin Flute (La Croix de Berny): A novel that explores the lives of working-class people during World War II, published in 1947.
 Street of Riches (Bonheur d'occasion): A novel set in a Montreal neighborhood, exploring themes of poverty and social inequality, published in 1945.
* The Cashier (Les Houles): A collection of short stories that reflect on the lives of working-class people.

Impact and Legacy


Gabrielle Roy's contributions to Canadian literature are immeasurable. Her works have been translated into numerous languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. She was a key figure in promoting French-Canadian culture and identity, paving the way for future generations of writers.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Gabrielle Roy's literary legacy extends far beyond her published works. Her commitment to social justice and her unwavering dedication to exploring themes that were often overlooked by mainstream literature have made her a beloved figure in Canadian culture.

Quotes by Gabrielle Roy

The main engagement of the writer is towards truthfulness; therefore he must keep his mind and his judgement free.
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The main engagement of the writer is towards truthfulness; therefore he must keep his mind and his judgement free.
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One knows less about one’s own destiny than about anything else on earth.
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One knows less about one’s own destiny than about anything else on earth.
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Every life is a tragedy, but far more the writer’s life, because the more he has to see, the more deeply he understands and feels about life, the less time he has to put it down.
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Every life is a tragedy, but far more the writer’s life, because the more he has to see, the more deeply he understands and feels about life, the less time he has to put it down.
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The more the heart is nourished with happiness, the more it is insatiable.
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The more the heart is nourished with happiness, the more it is insatiable.
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#heart
Could we ever know each other in the slightest without the arts?
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Could we ever know each other in the slightest without the arts?
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#knows
The life of a writer is tragic: the more we advance, the farther there is to go and the more there is to say, the less time there is to say it.
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The life of a writer is tragic: the more we advance, the farther there is to go and the more there is to say, the less time there is to say it.
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#writing
it's a funny life. Either you don't make a red cent and you have all the time in the world, or else you get double the money and you don't have a moment to spend a penny of it.
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it's a funny life. Either you don't make a red cent and you have all the time in the world, or else you get double the money and you don't have a moment to spend a penny of it.
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#funny-life
Ideas often last but a day; feelings, dreams almost forever.
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Ideas often last but a day; feelings, dreams almost forever.
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#dream
Curiosity ran unchecked through him, like the wind outside through the deserted streets, along the canal, around the little wooden houses, everywhere, as far as the mountain.
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Curiosity ran unchecked through him, like the wind outside through the deserted streets, along the canal, around the little wooden houses, everywhere, as far as the mountain.
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#wind
Of all things that can happen to us, triumph is the most difficult to endure when we are alone. Deprived of witnesses, it shrinks at once.
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Of all things that can happen to us, triumph is the most difficult to endure when we are alone. Deprived of witnesses, it shrinks at once.
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#triumph
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