Fur Nation: From the Beaver to Brigitte Bardot (Writing Corporealities (Paperback))

Fur Nation traces the interwoven relationships between sexuality, national identity, and colonialism. Chantal Nadeau shows how Canada, a white settler colony, bases its existence and its nationhood on a complex sexual economy based on women wrapped in fur.Nadeau traces the centrality of fur through a series of intriguing case studies, including:• Hollywood's take on the 330 year history of the Hudson Bay Company, founded to exploit Canada's rich fur resources• the life of a postwar fur fashion photographer• a 1950s musical called Fur Lady• the battle between Brigitte Bardot's anti-fur activists and the fur industry.Nadeau highlights the connection between'fur ladies'- women wearing, exploiting or promoting furs - and the beaver, symbol of Canada and nature's master builder. She shows how, in postcolonial Canada, the nation is sexualised around female reproduction and fur, which is both a crucial factor in economic development, and a powerful symbol through which the nation itself is conceived and commodified. Fur Nation demonstrates that, for Canada, fur really is the fabric of a nation. Fur Nation Traces The Interwoven Relationships Between Sexuality, National Identity, And Colonialism. Chantal Nadeau Shows How Canada, A White Settler Colony, Bases Its Existence And Its Nationhood On A Complex Sexual Economy Based On Women Wrapped In Fur. Nadeau Traces The Centrality Of Fur Through A Series Of Intriguing Case Studies, Including Hollywood Films, Fashion Photography, Musicals, And Of Course Bardot And Her White Baby Seals. Nadeau Highlights The Connection Between 'fur Ladies' - Women Wearing, Exploiting Or Promoting Furs - And The Beaver, Symbol Of Canada And Nature's Master Builder. She Shows How, In Postcolonial Culture, The Nation Is Sexualized Around Female Reproduction And Fur, Which Is Both A Crucial Factor In Economic Development, And A Powerful Symbol Through Which The Nation Itself Is Conceived And Commodified. Fur Nation Demonstrates That Fur Ladies Really Are The Fabric Of A Nation.--jacket. Pt. I. Fur Nation. 1. My Fur Ladies (the Fabric Of A Nation). 2. Princes, Bear Boys And Beaver Men (tales From The Beaver Clubs) -- Pt. Ii. Beavers. 3. The Eyes Of June Sauer (for A Sexual Economy Of Fur Fashion Photography). 4. My Fur Lady, Or Canada's Liberty -- Pt. Iii. Bardots. 5. Bb And Her Beasts. 6. Venus Forever (the Next Fur Generation). Chantal Nadeau. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 221-229) And Index. Fur Nation traces the inter woven relationships between sexuality, national identity, and colonialism. Chantal Nadeau shows how Canada, a white settler colony, bases its existence and its nationhood on a complex sexual economy based on women wrapped in fur.Nadeau traces the centrality of fur through a series of intriguing case studies, including:-- Hollywood's take on the 330 year history of the Hudson Bay Company, founded to exploit Canada's rich fur resources-- the life of a postwar fur fashion photographer-- a 1950s musical called My Fur Lady-- the battle between Brigitte Bardot's anti-fur activists and the fur industry.Nadeau highlights the connection between "fur ladies" -- women wearing, exploiting or promoting furs -- and the beaver, symbol of Canada and nature's master builder. She shows how, in postcolonial Canada, the nation is sexualized around female reproduction and fur, which is both a crucial factor in economic development, and a powerful symbol through which the nation itself is conceived and commodified. Fur Nation demonstrates that, for Canada, fur really is the fabric of a nation. Fur Nation traces the interwoven relationships between sexuality, national identity, and colonialism. Chantal Nadeau shows how Canada, a white settler colony, bases its existence and its nationhood on a complex sexual economy based on women wrapped in fur. Nadeau traces the centrality of fur through a series of intriguing case studies, including: Hollywood's take on the 330 year history of the Hudson Bay Company, founded to exploit Canada's rich fur resources the life of a postwar fur fashion photographer a 1950s musical called Fur Lady the battle between Brigitte Bardot's anti-fur activists and the fur industry. Nadeau highlights the connection between 'fur ladies' - women wearing, exploiting or promoting furs - and the beaver, symbol of Canada and nature's master builder. She shows how, in postcolonial Canada, the nation is sexualised around female reproduction and fur, which is both a crucial factor in economic development, and a powerful symbol through which the nation itself is conceived and commodified. Fur Nation demonstrates that, for Canada, fur really is the fabric of a nation BOOK COVER......Page 1 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 6 1 My fur ladies (the fabric of a nation)......Page 20 2 Princes, bear boys and beaver men......Page 41 3 The eyes of June Sauer......Page 80 4 My Fur Lady, or Canada’s Liberty......Page 116 5 BB and her beasts......Page 148 6 Venus forever (the next fur generation)......Page 180 Notes......Page 208 Bibliography......Page 234 Index......Page 243 Traces the relationships between sexuality, national identity, and colonialism. The author shows how Canada bases its existence and its nationhood on a complex sexual economy based on women in fur, connecting them with the beaver, Canada's symbol and nature's master builder