8: Writing about the Natural World
- Page ID
- 14867
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Examine the concerns of scholars working to understand literary representations of the natural world.
- Apply ecocriticism to works of literature.
- Review works of poetry and fiction that explore the relationships between human beings and animals, plants, natural features, and natural phenomena.
- Learn how to revise an academic argument for clarity, persuasiveness, and stylistic grace.
- Draft and revise a critique of a work of literature based on environmental concerns.
- 8.1: Literary Snapshot- "Through the Looking-Glass"
- This page explores Lewis Carroll's *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* and *Through the Looking-Glass*, focusing on Alice's absurd journey and the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter." It critiques adult authority and the consequences of blindly trusting others, while also addressing environmental concerns. The poem presents Alice's disdain for characters who exploit nature, promoting an ecocritical perspective that values ethical treatment of the natural world over consumerism and wastefulness.
- 8.2: Ecocriticism- An Overview
- This page examines the interplay between nature and literature, particularly through ecocriticism, illustrating how industrialization contrasts with idealized rural life, as seen in works like Wordsworth’s poetry. It discusses Dickens’s depiction of London’s corruption linked to industrialization and emphasizes themes of environmental degradation, referencing Thoreau and Emerson's calls to reconnect with nature.
- 8.3: Focus on Ecocritical Approaches - Ecofeminism and Darwinian Literary Criticism
- This page explores ecofeminism, linking the oppression of women and nature in patriarchal societies, and illustrates this through intersectionality and literary examples. It also examines "Hansel and Gretel" as a fairy tale that reflects on survival issues like poverty and child abuse, emphasizing its cultural adaptation.
- 8.4: Writing about the Natural World - A Process Approach
- This page focuses on the integration of reading and writing processes through ecocriticism, presenting a ten-step analysis plan that includes multiple readings, question formulation, thesis development, evidence gathering, and iterative editing. Key elements like rereading and peer feedback are emphasized for improving understanding and writing quality.
- 8.5: Student Writer at Work- Jens Paasen’s Ecocritical Paper in Development
- This chapter analyzes the revision of academic papers through Jens Paasen's ecocritical study of Disney's *Pocahontas*. It critiques representations of nature and culture, highlighting Governor Ratcliffe's exploitation versus the Powhatan tribe's harmony with the environment. Nature's dual role is examined via symbolic elements like wind and leaves, while anthropomorphic animals reflect human traits and spiritual connections.
- 8.6: Student Sample Paper- Jens Paasen’s “If You Want to Belong, You Have to Buy- Disney’s Pocahontas and Consumerism in a Natural Disguise”
- This page critiques Disney's "Pocahontas," highlighting its promotion of consumerism and the nature-culture dichotomy. It explores the character of Pocahontas, who symbolizes individuality through her relationship with settler John Smith, suggesting a troubling link between independence and consumerism.
- 8.7: Student Sample Paper- Allison Shakelton’s “Separation from Nature in ’The Light Princess’”
- This page analyzes George MacDonald's fairy tale "The Light Princess," highlighting its themes of human estrangement from nature. It portrays a cursed princess symbolizing alienation from life due to societal concerns. Characters experience disconnection, leading to personal and societal issues, with the king's greed exemplifying neglect of nature.
- 8.8: End-of-Chapter Assessment
- This page explores the relationship between literature and nature, highlighting how literary works mirror human attitudes influenced by historical and social contexts. It encourages analyzing natural descriptions for ecological understanding while cautioning against modern interpretations of historical texts.
- 8.9: Suggestions for Further Reading
- This page provides a comprehensive list of scholarly sources on Ecocriticism, Ecofeminism, and Darwinian Literary Criticism. It features key works by notable authors like Lawrence Buell and Greta Gaard, examining the intersections of literature, environment, and gender. The texts address themes such as urban ecology and animal representation, highlighting the interdisciplinary approach within these critical fields.
Thumnail: A pretty Cow. pixabay.com/photos/cow-bull-...asture-431729/