Environmental Literature and Transcendentalism
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Questions and Answers

What primary focus does environmental literature address?

  • Historical accuracy of events
  • Relationships between nature and culture (correct)
  • Inner personal struggles of characters
  • Political debates and resolutions

What is ecocriticism primarily used for?

  • Assessing character development in literature
  • Exploring cinematic adaptations of texts
  • Investigating contemporary ecological problems (correct)
  • Analyzing plot twists and outcomes

Which of the following best describes a utopia?

  • A place of complete chaos and despair
  • A realistic portrayal of social struggles
  • An environment marked by great injustice
  • An imagined perfect society (correct)

What feeling does the narrator experience upon returning to the lake from his childhood?

<p>A mix of nostalgia and dual existence (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did American Transcendentalism influence writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson?

<p>By linking individuals to the divine and nature (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does the narrator reflect on when he thinks about the American family during his childhood?

<p>A time of jollity, peace, and goodness (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which Asian religious texts significantly influenced Transcendentalist writers?

<p>Bhagavad Gita and texts of Buddhism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What theme is commonly explored in dystopian narratives?

<p>Great suffering and injustice (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has replaced the 'sleepy sound' of inboard motors at the lake?

<p>The jarring sounds of outboard motors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator describe his memories of summer spent at the lake?

<p>As deeply cherished and worth preserving (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts is NOT associated with the Over-Soul in Transcendentalism?

<p>Universal environmental responsibility (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What change does the narrator notice in the communal experience of people arriving by train?

<p>A joyful ceremony that has been lost (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Thoreau most known for?

<p>His treatise on simple living, Walden (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant theme does Wordsworth's poem 'The World Is Too Much With Us' address?

<p>Humanity's alienation from nature (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which poetic form is used in Wordsworth's sonnet 'The World Is Too Much With Us'?

<p>Petrarchan sonnet (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 'Freeway 280,' how does Cervantes depict the relationship between nature and urban development?

<p>Contrasting and conflictual (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What main issue is addressed in Shihab Nye's poem 'Different Ways to Pray'?

<p>The link between nature and sacredness (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Heather McHugh's poem 'Webcam the World' suggest about the impact of digital documentation?

<p>It replaces direct experiences of the world. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What environmental concern is highlighted in Dungy's poem regarding the Smith's blue butterfly?

<p>Destruction of their main food source by invasive species (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contrasting imagery is used in 'Freeway 280' to highlight the impact of urbanization?

<p>Wildflowers and gray structures (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase from McHugh’s poem comments on the absurdity of documentation?

<p>There’s nothing unastonishing. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the first stanza in 'Different Ways to Pray'?

<p>Sacred aspects of physical environments (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what historical context does Wordsworth's poetry find its roots?

<p>The French Revolution (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Wordsworth's poem reflect on material wealth?

<p>It warns against prioritizing it over nature. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'viejitas' refer to in 'Freeway 280'?

<p>Elderly women who cultivate plants (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What emotional tone does Dungy adopt in her poem regarding the Smith's blue butterfly?

<p>Nostalgic and wistful (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What theme is predominantly explored in Oliver Baez Bendorf's poem 'Evergreen'?

<p>Despair and survival (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which award did Oliver Baez Bendorf receive for his contributions to poetry?

<p>Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What historical event does Amanda Gorman's poem 'Earthrise' reference?

<p>The Apollo 8 mission (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which literary device does Marge Piercy use to emphasize her family's labor in coal mining?

<p>Alliteration (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a central critique presented in E.M. Forster’s short story 'The Machine Stops'?

<p>Over-reliance on technology (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the poem 'Evergreen', what does the line 'What still grows in winter?' suggest?

<p>The resilience of nature (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes E. M. Forster’s writing style during the Edwardian era?

<p>Critically engaged with class struggles (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant aspect of Marge Piercy’s upbringing is highlighted in her poem 'The air smelled dirty'?

<p>The influence of coal mining (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does E. B. White’s 'The Elements of Style' focus on?

<p>English language style and composition (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event in American history is alluded to in Gorman's poem?

<p>The moon landing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Thoreau's time at Walden Pond?

<p>To experience living outside societal boundaries (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which author emphasized the harms caused by colonialism in relation to environmental issues?

<p>Nnedi Okorafor (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which literary movement began as a response to environmental inequity experienced by communities of color?

<p>Environmental Justice Movement (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between Solarpunk and traditional science fiction?

<p>Solarpunk promotes an optimistic vision of the future (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does Stephanie LeMenager primarily focus on within her environmental narratives?

<p>The intersection of literature and climate change response (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What environmental issues does Linda Hogan's Solar Storms address?

<p>Water and land as spiritual resources (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What theme is prominent in the works of John Muir?

<p>The sacredness of nature and opposition to exploitation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following authors is noted for their connection to the concept of 'The Land Ethic'?

<p>Aldo Leopold (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of city life is highlighted in Nnedi Okorafor's Lagoon?

<p>Technological influence on climate change perceptions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some narratives classified under the Solarpunk genre known for?

<p>Inspiring hope and solutions for climate issues (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Environmental Literature

A genre of writing that explores the relationship between humans and the environment.

Ecocriticism

An approach to studying literature that examines how the natural world is presented and how it relates to environmental issues.

Utopia

An imagined perfect society, often characterized by harmony with nature and social justice.

Dystopia

A fictional setting depicting a society marked by suffering, oppression, and injustice, often caused by environmental degradation.

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Transcendentalism

A philosophical movement that emphasized individualism, intuition, and the interconnectedness of all things, including humans and nature.

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Over-Soul

A central concept in Transcendentalism, representing the interconnectedness of all souls with each other and with a divine force.

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Walden

Henry David Thoreau's influential work on simple living, advocating for a closer connection with nature and self-sufficiency.

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Civil Disobedience

Thoreau's essay advocating for nonviolent resistance against unjust laws, drawing parallels between individual conscience and nature's principles.

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Who is Oliver Baez Bendorf?

A poet, teacher, librarian, and activist born in Iowa, known for his poetry collections like "Advantages of Being Evergreen" and the upcoming "Consider the Rooster."

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What is "Evergreen" about?

The poem explores the speaker's contemplation of survival and resilience in the face of a difficult winter landscape. The speaker's connection to the harsh environment speaks to a possible past struggle with a suicide attempt, echoing themes of death and survival in nature.

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What is the significance of "coal" in Piercy's poem?

The writer, Marge Piercy, uses the coal industry as her backdrop, connecting her childhood experiences to her father's mining work and the hardships faced by immigrants.

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What is "Earthrise" about?

A poem inspired by the iconic photograph of Earth from space during the Apollo 8 mission. Gorman celebrates the achievement and its connection to American history, referencing the historical significance of the Earthrise image and Kennedy's ambition to reach the moon.

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Who is E.M. Forster?

A prolific English writer of the Edwardian era, known for novels like "A Passage to India" and "Howard's End," which explore social issues of the time.

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What is "The Machine Stops" about?

A dystopian story set in a future where humanity lives underground, completely dependent on a global machine for survival. Forster criticizes the over-reliance on technology and its potential to isolate individuals from nature and meaningful human connection.

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Who is E.B. White?

This children's book author also had a successful career as an essayist and editor. He is known for his contributions to writing style and his English language guide, "The Elements of Style."

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What is the significance of the morning canoe rides in the story?

The narrator recounts his secretive canoe trips, finding a sense of peace and connection with nature. Using the metaphor of a "cathedral" highlights the sacredness of the experience.

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Henry David Thoreau

The author of Walden, a seminal work on simple living and the importance of connecting with nature.

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John Muir

An American naturalist and advocate for the conservation of natural areas, who helped establish the National Parks system.

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Aldo Leopold

A conservationist and writer known for his influential essay 'The Land Ethic', advocating for ethical treatment of the natural world.

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Environmental Justice Movement

A literary movement that emerged from the Civil Rights Movement, focusing on the unequal distribution of environmental burdens and benefits across communities.

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Solarpunk

A subgenre of science fiction that imagines a hopeful future where technology is used to solve ecological and social problems, emphasizing sustainability and renewable energy.

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Lagoon

A novel by Nnedi Okorafor that addresses climate change from the perspective of people in Lagos, Nigeria, highlighting the interconnectedness of technology, culture, and environmental challenges.

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Solar Storms

A novel by Linda Hogan that explores the complex relationship between Indigenous communities, environmental trauma, and the impact of climate change on water and land.

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Eco-Fiction by John Stadler

A collection of short stories by various authors that explore the theme of ecological justice and the impact of human activities on natural systems.

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The Word for World is Forest

A science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin, focusing on ethical questions about human actions and their consequences for the environment and other living beings.

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Stephanie LeMenager

An author who teaches courses on climate change and uses literature, film, and other arts to explore the meaning and implications of environmental challenges.

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Amitav Ghosh

An author who writes fiction and nonfiction narratives that address climate change and its cultural and social impacts.

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Petroculture

A concept that describes the influence of oil and fossil fuels on society and culture.

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Dual existence

The feeling of being in two places at once, experiencing both past and present.

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No years

The feeling of being overwhelmed by the past, unable to distinguish between then and now.

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Internal monologue

The internal dialogue that occurs when one experiences the past.

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Sleepy sound vs. jarring sound

The jarring contrast between the natural sounds of the past and the industrialized sounds of the present.

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Internal memories vs. newer reality

The way past memories compete with current reality, creating a sense of displacement.

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Petrarchan sonnet

A sonnet form consisting of 14 lines of iambic pentameter, divided into an octave (first 8 lines) and sestet (last 6 lines), where the sestet responds to or develops the ideas presented in the octave.

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Romanticism

A literary movement emphasizing emotion, imagination, and the beauty of nature, often characterized by a focus on individual experiences and the power of the human spirit.

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Alienation from Nature

A literary theme exploring the loss of connection between humans and the natural world, often lamenting the negative effects of industrialization or technological advancement.

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Juxtaposition

A literary device where two contrasting elements are placed side-by-side to highlight their differences, creating a dramatic effect.

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Elegy

A type of poetry that expresses sorrow or lament for something lost or changed, often reflecting on the beauty and fragility of nature.

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Allusion

A literary device that refers to a previous passage in a poem or literary work, creating a sense of continuity or connection between different parts.

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Imagery

The use of language that appeals to the senses, evoking vivid imagery and sensory experiences.

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Figurative Language

A literary device that uses language that suggests more than its literal meaning, creating a deeper level of meaning.

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Nature Writing

A literary device that explores the theme of natural beauty and wilderness, often highlighting the interconnectedness of humans and nature.

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Free Verse

A contemporary poetic style that combines elements of various genres and styles, blurring the lines between traditional and experimental.

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Prayer Poetry

A literary form of expressing prayer or devotion through poetry, often drawing on themes of spirituality, faith, and the sacred.

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Simile

A literary technique where two elements are compared or contrasted using words like 'like,' 'as,' or 'than.'

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Pathos

A literary device that uses language that evokes a strong emotional response in the reader.

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Documentation of Nature

A literary theme that explores the use of technology in documenting and experiencing the natural world.

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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.

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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'.

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