Bowker's Book Shows Leacock Remained A Political Activist Throughout His Life

In short, as Leacock the humorist waxed, Leacock the political theorist and activist waned. The brilliance and beauty of Bowker’s new book on Leacock is that Bowker has pointed that, in reality, Leacock was as concerned about the tough political, economic and social questions in Canada in the late autumn of his life as he was in the spring and summer of his intellectual journey. On the Front Line of Life: Stephen Leacock: Memories and Reflections, 1935-1944, explicitly so, lights and lands on the short stories and essays Leacock wrote in the last decade of his life. Bowker has selected, edited and written a fine introduction to On The Front Line of Life. The argument by Bowker is clear. He is now convinced, and the evidence cannot be denied, that Leacock held together both humour and political concerns until the end of his journey. Bowker has woven together, in a most readable and compelling manner, twenty-four articles and short stories that Leacock wrote between 1935 and 1944. ‘Life on the Old Farm’ opens the collection, and the final essay, ‘To Every Child’, brings to a fitting close this well crafted book. It must be remembered that Leacock wrote these essays and short stories throughout the depression and WW II. Leacock knew he had to respond to such sadness, tragedy and suffering. On The Front Line ably demonstrates how Leacock did react and respond to the demands of the time. He neither retreated from the fray, nor did he hide under a shell of humour that was disconnected from the troubles of the time. Bowker, to his generous credit, walks the extra mile to clarify for the interested and curious how and why Leacock was in the trenches and on the front line of life until the end. There is no doubt that Alan Bowker deserves many a kudo for his life long passion to do a revisionist read on Stephen Leacock. In many ways, Bowker has more than answered the probing request of Ian Ross Robertson in 1986 when he asked for a more ‘holistic interpretation’ of Leacock. Bowker has done more than yeoman’s duty in offering us this more ‘holistic interpretation’. On The Front Line of Life: Stephen Leacock: Memories and Reflections, 1935-1944 is a fit and faithful companion to Social Criticism. Do read both and be grateful to both Leacock and Bowker. Canada and Canadians should be proud of both men. There is a fleeting comment to be made before quill leaves parchment. If we are ever going to get a full and holistic interpretation of Leacock, we also need to heed his religious perspectives. Leacock was an Anglican, and he thought and wrote much about the perils and possibilities of religion. Perhaps, in the future, the integration of Leacock’s humour, politics and religious thinking will come to the fore. When this occurs, we will truly have a holistic interpretation of Leacock. RSD