This comprehensive survey begins with an account of the myths of the New World, describing the fascinating background against which to read the emerging English and French language Literatures of Canada. An examination of the early literature takes full account of explorers' journals, the Jesuit Relations and settlement and captivity narratives, and the works of writers from 1880 to the present day such as Kirkby, Frechette, F.R.Scott, Tremblay, Munro and Atwood are fully discussed. Account is taken of historical events such as Confederation, the Canada First Movement and the Imperial Federation Movement, as well as the main critical movements of each period.