Fur Nation: From the Beaver to Brigitte Bardot

Research output: Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherRoutledge
Number of pages256
ISBN (Electronic)9781134724826
ISBN (Print)9780415158732, 9780415158749
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences

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