Our world today has been extremely shaped by colonization, but the rapid spread of its influence has neglected to cater for the distinct and significant characteristics of each country. In Surfacing by Margaret Atwood, Atwood explores the effects of colonization on the cultural and social environment of Quebec. As the English language expanded, the French subculture was slowly pushed back and forced to integrate with the Anglophone culture. Along with the integration of culture comes the loss of the history and traditions that define a people. Atwood does an immense job of showing the obsession that society begins to have to remember and discover these traditions. Emergence describes the consequences that occur when people enter and invade an area, how animosity and feelings of hatred can develop. Margaret Atwood writes this novel during a time when the cultural differences between Quebec and the rest of Canada manifested themselves in Quebec's growing sense of nationalism. Margaret Atwood's novel Surfacing demonstrates how colonization affected Quebec during the 1970s through the integration of different cultures, the loss of identity, the depletion of history and tradition, and the strain placed on relationships within the community . A colonized nation is therefore driven by the progress and growth that history, heritage and traditions are often left behind. This is evident when the nameless protagonist of Surfacing feels a growing urgency to find the two cave drawings and thus discover what her father was doing. His father's research into the past and the drawings portray society's need and curiosity to discover past history and traditions, as well as trace the paths of one's ancestors. Surfacing presents an excellent representation…center of the paper…relationships are all effects of colonialism and are demonstrated in Surfacing by Margaret Atwood. The invading culture begins to take over and overwhelm the current civilization, as well as ensuring that past traditions are overcome and replaced with new ones. Because of this prevailing awareness, many colonized nations begin to resent their “big brother” counterparts. Writing about this in his book, Atwood conveys this message by portraying his views through the eyes of the unnamed protagonist. Colonization is a topic that has been deeply established in Surfacing through the loss of identity, history and traditions, as well as the changing of current relationships. Bibliography Atwood, Margaret. Outcrop. Toronto, Canada: McClelland and Stewart, 1972. Print.Howells, Anne Coral. Margaret Atwood. Canada: Canadian Publishing, 1985. Print.