Answer this question fully or partially:
Bearing in mind the categories that Steve Mentz proposes in order to "deterritorialize" our academic humanities (anthology pp. 190-123), which of them do you think applies to the excerpt of Anderson's Azorean Suite and how? ; or do you see Anderson's writing as fitting in bettwer with the following precepts of Gary Snyder's "Unnatural Wriring"?
First and foremost, I believe that this excerpt from Scott Edward Anderson's _Azorean Suite_ does not fit within the dual framework of _Ocean_ by Steve Mentz, because Anderson deals equally with the ground and the blue humanities.
ReplyDeleteIn a nutshell, Anderson describes both the island's landscape and its aquatic affinity ("the sea of islands, collectively, /is more _aquapelago_ than archipelago," p. 50, Anthology). Remarkably, he approaches water in different states: the vast salt sea, rain, and water vapour (humidity and the concept of "cherene" or "chereno"). The longing felt by Anderson draws him to an island, which combines land and ocean. Hence, while there are hints to each of the seven "deterritorializing terms" (p. 190, Anthology) illustrated, they do not substitute for the use of "grounded" metaphors.
Conversely, I believe that Scott Edward Anderson meets the criteria for the type of nature writer described in Gary Snyder's "Unnatural Writing." Anderson is a writer who understands nature and science. Moreover, being surrounded by nature and developing his environmental awareness (understanding how nature operates and our role in it as a species) are his main sources of inspiration. It is also worth mentioning that Anderson worked in conservation, which encompassed traveling, exploring different landscapes and seascapes, and interacting with scientists who study the value of biodiversity ("[natural symbols] _are born not of abstraction but of experience_,’’ p. 179, para. 2, ll. 10-12, Anthology).
In sum, the excerpt analysed is mildly anthropocentric in its assessment of nature for its impact on humans, but it also acknowledges nature's intrinsic value (ecocentrism). In my opinion, it promotes the blue humanities while excluding the full "deterritorialization" of the academic humanities, and it perfectly matches Snyder's description of "new nature poetics."
I think Ship applies to the excerpt, as it breaks bounds with nationalism, knowing his father would embrace more Irish/Scotch, US, culture and heritage, as his grandfather would reject Portuguese identity too. It fits in Gary Snyder's precepts when related with conservation, with the use of " Bear as a totem ", and “ grounded in a place ".
ReplyDeleteBreaking down barriers and extending our understanding of literature and culture beyond conventional limits are the main goals of Steve Mentz's categories for "deterritorializing" the academic humanities. We can see a number of components that fall under Mentz's categories in the passage from Anderson's Azorean Suite. For instance, Anderson questions conventional Western notions of location and identity while describing the culture and environment of the Azores. Anderson gives up fresh perspectives on the intricate connections between people, civilizations, and the natural environment by examining the Azores and their distinct history.
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