In "The Journals of Susanna Moodie," Margaret Atwood explores the life and struggles of Susanna Moodie, a 19th-century settler in Canada. The narrative reflects on her experiences as she grapples with the isolation and challenges of frontier life. Atwood portrays Moodie’s thoughts on identity, belonging, and the harsh realities of life in a new and unforgiving land.
The quote, "I planted him in this country like a flag," symbolizes Moodie's deep connection to the land and her desire to assert her identity within it. It conveys her determination to make a mark in an unfamiliar environment, much like planting a flag to claim territory. This imagery underscores the themes of settlement and the complexity of attachment to place in Moodie's writings.