Alistair MacLeod's novel, "No Great Mischief," is a haunting tale of a family who tried to keep their identity and unity intact despite the hindrances that threaten them. In “no Great Mischief”, one finds the MacDonald at the center of the tale.
The MacDonald Clan
The growing MacDonald clan found themselves confronted with the necessity of fleeing Scotland to evade troubles. In 1779, Calum MacDonald with his wife and 12 children set sail for the New World. Around 200 years later, the family tree grows so thickly that every descendant lives in its shade.
Generations after their forebears went into exile, the MacDonald still experience unmitigated hardships and cruelties in life. Alexander MacDonald, orphaned as a child by a tragedy, has gained some success in the world. His older brother, Calum, is a nearly destitute alcoholic living on Toronto's skid row.
Alexander being one of the surviving, present-day members of the MacDonald clan typifies the values of shared bond, unity, familial ties and family cohesiveness. Alexander upholds the family history recounted in the stories- some wildly comic, others heart-breakingly tragic- which sustains him in tough times. One discovers the hope against hope upon which every family must sometimes rely.
Throughout the novel, these mottoes "We are all better when we're loved" and "Stick with your blood" run a familiar refrain. This provides the impression of duality. The first maxim promotes emotional ties and relationships. The second implies that family ties create duties to which we are inextricably bound to uphold. Such is the predicament of Alexander in the story. His strong filial ties seem to stem from love and at times, duty.
Another poignant part of the story is when Alexander MacDonald drives to his brother’s dilapidated apartment every Saturday, these thoughts occurred to him, "I think of my grandparents a great deal, and, as in the manner of the remembered Gaelic songs, I do not do so consciously”.
These words seemingly blended the past and present seamlessly. As Alexander dwells in the past, one sees a glimpse of his ancestors and his relationship with them today. The influence of Alexander’s ancestors is greatly steeped in him that he unconsciously observes them.
An Insight Into Canadian Culture
Reading "No Great Mischief" allows one to take a peek into the intricacies involved in Canadian culture. Alexander’s fierce loyalty to the family’s dictum, which appears to be a humdrum, "Always look after your own blood," seems to be the moving force behind Canada’s culture. One can sense a certain fondness Canadians hold for their ancestors. Also, there is a positive impression that Canadian culture promotes close-knit family ties, pride in their ancestry and fierce loyalty to culture and tradition.
"No Great Mischief" shows that the Canadian culture promotes reverence of the past and preserving the culture at the present as embodied by Alexander when he imbibes his grandparents’ teachings in his present life. Alexander finds a need to carry on tradition, so to speak. This is the idea that is so prevalent in the story.
Take for instance, the part where Alexander dwells on his not-so-distant past and admitted that “Whatever its inaccuracies," Alexander explains, "this information has come to be known in the manner that family members come to know one another because they share such close proximity.
Or as Grandma would say, 'How could you not know that?'" It’s true. The bond shared by family is because of its shared experiences. How could they not know the time that their Grandpa was decorated with Christmas lights as he slept, or about the dog that chose to drown than be left behind in Scotland and be estranged to the only family he knew?
However, Alexander’s fierce grip on family ties seem muted compared to the alarming evidence of a growing tide against filial ties. Among them are: Alexander's wealthy patients who want to obliterate the mark of their ancestry from their jaw lines; avid shoppers looking for the latest fads; politicians funding weapons of mass destruction - the ultimate insult to memory.
Even though there seems to be a growing opposition against tradition and preserving the past, the novel "No Great Mischief", provides an optimistic note at the end of the story when Alexander drives off for Nova Scotia in a road-closing blizzard with his dying alcoholic brother.
For as long as there are Alexanders in this world, there is hope. Despite the ravages closing in on family legacy, Alistair MacLeod's novel, "No Great Mischief," provides confirmation in the need for family customs, beliefs, traditions, legacy and preserving since they are vital components of the Canadian culture.
Source:
MacLeod, Alistair. No Great Mischief. McClelland & Stewart. 1999. ISBN ISBN 0771055676, 9780771055676
Charles, Ron. “The Strong Branches of a Scottish Family.” 15 June 2000.
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