Vancouver: Through Diverse Eyes

It stands to argue that, generally, the authors of the short stories have portrayed Vancouver in a positive light. What is more interesting to note, is the cultural diversity from which these portrayals originate. Some are First Nations, others were born in England and China, while some were born around here in both Victoria and Vancouver. As one reads through these unique perspectives, an image of Vancouver is easily developed. If it happens to be that this reader is unfamiliar with the landscape and culture of Vancouver, it is safe to say that these outlooks are accurate for the time period from which they are referring to. "In Vancouver" depicts Vancouver as a place where loggers come to rest, re-fuel and restock their supplies in the early 20th Century. "The Two Sisters" and "The Siwash Rock" both show a Vancouver that is rich with Aboriginal culture and full of beautiful landscapes. "Forgiveness in Families", "A cup of Coffee"and "The Jade Peony" were written a little later on in the 20th century and show the growth of Vancouver with references to hospitals, mills, and various shops and convenience stores. This graduation to modernity shows that the representations of Vancouver are not static and are changing and growing with the city. If one were to step back and look at all the viewpoints as a whole, the impression would be that of a city which was once a logging community with a beautiful landscape that has now grown into that of a more modern city with a diverse culture