Podcast
Questions and Answers
What primary focus does environmental literature address?
What primary focus does environmental literature address?
What is ecocriticism primarily used for?
What is ecocriticism primarily used for?
Which of the following best describes a utopia?
Which of the following best describes a utopia?
What feeling does the narrator experience upon returning to the lake from his childhood?
What feeling does the narrator experience upon returning to the lake from his childhood?
Signup and view all the answers
How did American Transcendentalism influence writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson?
How did American Transcendentalism influence writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson?
Signup and view all the answers
Which aspect does the narrator reflect on when he thinks about the American family during his childhood?
Which aspect does the narrator reflect on when he thinks about the American family during his childhood?
Signup and view all the answers
Which Asian religious texts significantly influenced Transcendentalist writers?
Which Asian religious texts significantly influenced Transcendentalist writers?
Signup and view all the answers
What theme is commonly explored in dystopian narratives?
What theme is commonly explored in dystopian narratives?
Signup and view all the answers
What has replaced the 'sleepy sound' of inboard motors at the lake?
What has replaced the 'sleepy sound' of inboard motors at the lake?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the narrator describe his memories of summer spent at the lake?
How does the narrator describe his memories of summer spent at the lake?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following concepts is NOT associated with the Over-Soul in Transcendentalism?
Which of the following concepts is NOT associated with the Over-Soul in Transcendentalism?
Signup and view all the answers
What change does the narrator notice in the communal experience of people arriving by train?
What change does the narrator notice in the communal experience of people arriving by train?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Thoreau most known for?
What is Thoreau most known for?
Signup and view all the answers
What significant theme does Wordsworth's poem 'The World Is Too Much With Us' address?
What significant theme does Wordsworth's poem 'The World Is Too Much With Us' address?
Signup and view all the answers
Which poetic form is used in Wordsworth's sonnet 'The World Is Too Much With Us'?
Which poetic form is used in Wordsworth's sonnet 'The World Is Too Much With Us'?
Signup and view all the answers
In 'Freeway 280,' how does Cervantes depict the relationship between nature and urban development?
In 'Freeway 280,' how does Cervantes depict the relationship between nature and urban development?
Signup and view all the answers
What main issue is addressed in Shihab Nye's poem 'Different Ways to Pray'?
What main issue is addressed in Shihab Nye's poem 'Different Ways to Pray'?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Heather McHugh's poem 'Webcam the World' suggest about the impact of digital documentation?
What does Heather McHugh's poem 'Webcam the World' suggest about the impact of digital documentation?
Signup and view all the answers
What environmental concern is highlighted in Dungy's poem regarding the Smith's blue butterfly?
What environmental concern is highlighted in Dungy's poem regarding the Smith's blue butterfly?
Signup and view all the answers
What contrasting imagery is used in 'Freeway 280' to highlight the impact of urbanization?
What contrasting imagery is used in 'Freeway 280' to highlight the impact of urbanization?
Signup and view all the answers
Which phrase from McHugh’s poem comments on the absurdity of documentation?
Which phrase from McHugh’s poem comments on the absurdity of documentation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary focus of the first stanza in 'Different Ways to Pray'?
What is the primary focus of the first stanza in 'Different Ways to Pray'?
Signup and view all the answers
In what historical context does Wordsworth's poetry find its roots?
In what historical context does Wordsworth's poetry find its roots?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Wordsworth's poem reflect on material wealth?
How does Wordsworth's poem reflect on material wealth?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the phrase 'viejitas' refer to in 'Freeway 280'?
What does the phrase 'viejitas' refer to in 'Freeway 280'?
Signup and view all the answers
What emotional tone does Dungy adopt in her poem regarding the Smith's blue butterfly?
What emotional tone does Dungy adopt in her poem regarding the Smith's blue butterfly?
Signup and view all the answers
What theme is predominantly explored in Oliver Baez Bendorf's poem 'Evergreen'?
What theme is predominantly explored in Oliver Baez Bendorf's poem 'Evergreen'?
Signup and view all the answers
Which award did Oliver Baez Bendorf receive for his contributions to poetry?
Which award did Oliver Baez Bendorf receive for his contributions to poetry?
Signup and view all the answers
What historical event does Amanda Gorman's poem 'Earthrise' reference?
What historical event does Amanda Gorman's poem 'Earthrise' reference?
Signup and view all the answers
Which literary device does Marge Piercy use to emphasize her family's labor in coal mining?
Which literary device does Marge Piercy use to emphasize her family's labor in coal mining?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a central critique presented in E.M. Forster’s short story 'The Machine Stops'?
What is a central critique presented in E.M. Forster’s short story 'The Machine Stops'?
Signup and view all the answers
In the poem 'Evergreen', what does the line 'What still grows in winter?' suggest?
In the poem 'Evergreen', what does the line 'What still grows in winter?' suggest?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes E. M. Forster’s writing style during the Edwardian era?
Which of the following best describes E. M. Forster’s writing style during the Edwardian era?
Signup and view all the answers
What significant aspect of Marge Piercy’s upbringing is highlighted in her poem 'The air smelled dirty'?
What significant aspect of Marge Piercy’s upbringing is highlighted in her poem 'The air smelled dirty'?
Signup and view all the answers
What does E. B. White’s 'The Elements of Style' focus on?
What does E. B. White’s 'The Elements of Style' focus on?
Signup and view all the answers
Which event in American history is alluded to in Gorman's poem?
Which event in American history is alluded to in Gorman's poem?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the primary focus of Thoreau's time at Walden Pond?
What was the primary focus of Thoreau's time at Walden Pond?
Signup and view all the answers
Which author emphasized the harms caused by colonialism in relation to environmental issues?
Which author emphasized the harms caused by colonialism in relation to environmental issues?
Signup and view all the answers
Which literary movement began as a response to environmental inequity experienced by communities of color?
Which literary movement began as a response to environmental inequity experienced by communities of color?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key difference between Solarpunk and traditional science fiction?
What is a key difference between Solarpunk and traditional science fiction?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does Stephanie LeMenager primarily focus on within her environmental narratives?
What role does Stephanie LeMenager primarily focus on within her environmental narratives?
Signup and view all the answers
What environmental issues does Linda Hogan's Solar Storms address?
What environmental issues does Linda Hogan's Solar Storms address?
Signup and view all the answers
What theme is prominent in the works of John Muir?
What theme is prominent in the works of John Muir?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following authors is noted for their connection to the concept of 'The Land Ethic'?
Which of the following authors is noted for their connection to the concept of 'The Land Ethic'?
Signup and view all the answers
What aspect of city life is highlighted in Nnedi Okorafor's Lagoon?
What aspect of city life is highlighted in Nnedi Okorafor's Lagoon?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some narratives classified under the Solarpunk genre known for?
What are some narratives classified under the Solarpunk genre known for?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Environmental Literature
- Environmental literature examines the relationship between nature and humans.
- Ecocriticism is an approach to analyze these relationships in literature.
- This genre explores various themes like characterization, historical contexts, and cultural/political issues.
- Environmental narratives often fall under utopian or dystopian categories.
- Utopias depict ideal societies, while dystopias portray societies with suffering and injustice.
American Transcendentalism
- Transcendentalism emphasized individualism and the concept of the "Over-Soul."
- The Over-Soul, inspired by Eastern religions, connects all souls and resides within individuals.
- Transcendentalists, like Emerson and Thoreau, drew inspiration from Asian philosophies (e.g., Hinduism, Buddhism).
- Thoreau's Walden and "Civil Disobedience" are central texts.
- Thoreau's experiment at Walden Pond explored simple living and nature's spiritual importance.
Later Environmental Movements in the U.S.
- John Muir advocated for national parks and opposed environmental exploitation.
- Muir's work spanned multiple volumes of nature writing.
- Aldo Leopold, influenced by Muir, emphasized conservation and the "Land Ethic" in his essay.
Contemporary Environmental Literature
- Nnedi Okorafor's Lagoon examines climate change in a Nigerian city, incorporating technology's impact.
- Okorafor highlights the effects of colonialism on Nigerian cultures.
- Okorafor uses personification to give non-human elements (like highways) voice in the climate narrative.
- Environmental justice movement, stemming from the Civil Rights Movement, seeks equitable environmental protection for all communities.
- Authors like John Stadler and Ursula K. Le Guin explored themes of ecological justice.
Climate Change and Literature
- Many climate fiction narratives offer hopeful solutions, contrasting with dystopian visions.
- Authors like Sherri L. Smith, Sam J. Miller, and Aldous Huxley represent varying perspectives on climate change in fiction.
- Solarpunk is a hopeful, sustainable subgenre of science fiction addressing climate injustices.
Environmental Poetry and Place
- Linda Hogan's Solar Storms explores water's spiritual and cultural significance.
- Hogan's work considers how place impacts community and environmental stewardship.
- Heather McHugh's "Webcam the World" critiques the documentation of nature vs. direct experience and action. The poem alludes to the world's fragility due to overuse of technology.
Historical Figures and Works
- William Wordsworth's "The World Is Too Much With Us" laments humanity's alienation from nature in the context of the Industrial Revolution.
- Wordsworth's poem contrasts human materialism with the inherent beauty of nature.
- Cervantes' "Freeway 280" juxtaposes the natural beauty of a San Jose area with the starkness of a freeway, reflecting the experience of a bilingual/Latinx community.
- Shihab Nye's "Different Ways to Pray" connects nature to the sacred.
- Amanda Gorman's "Earthrise" poem inspires, referencing an important photograph of Earth from space during the Apollo 8 mission.
Other Notable Figures
- Oliver Baez Bendorf's poetry contemplates survival and challenges in difficult conditions, referencing themes of death and survival.
- Marge Piercy's "The air smelled dirty" blends personal memory and history to describe the impact of coal mining in a neighborhood.
- Stephanie LeMenager writes about petroculture and climate change in humanities disciplines.
- Amitav Ghosh is an author of fiction and non-fiction focused on climate change.
- E.M. Forster's short story “The Machine Stops” is a dystopian cautionary tale about technology's isolating effects.
- Elwyn Brooks White, author of Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web, is known for his children's literature and the influential Elements of Style.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the intricate relationships between nature and humanity through the lens of environmental literature and American transcendentalism. Discover key themes, notable authors like Emerson and Thoreau, and the impact of ecocriticism on understanding environmental narratives. Dive into utopian and dystopian representations and the philosophical underpinnings of the 'Over-Soul'.
