The roman du terroir (rural novel) was strongly present in French Quebec literature from 1846 to 1945. It had as its goal the celebration of rural life during a period of rapid industrialization. The clergy and the state encouraged this type of literature; in fact, the moral conservatism of the roman du terroir "contrasts starkly" with the trends in the literature of France at the time. The Québécois establishment were hoping that support for this type of novel would strengthen Québécois morality, and perhaps halt an exodus of French Québécois from rural farming areas to Montreal and the textile factories of New England. Source: Wikipedia (en)