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Published on Visualizing Ecology (http://www2.evergreen.edu/visecowinter)

Stephanie Scott

Stephanie Scott

01/22/07

Commentary: Worster

 

Realizing Our Mistakes Through Rediscovery

 

“While some, like Thoreau, were exploring ways to overcome man’s estrangement from nature and giving fresh relevance to Arcadian paganism, others came to find that natural joy too tame and to take an increasingly decadent interest in the fearful and demonic forces around them. The contradiction is only partial, for the enthusiast of fear were in their own peculiar way also seeking reconciliation between man and nature. But it was a bond of violence they found; to be at one with the world, for them, was to embrace all the tumult, horror, and darkness in it, to commit oneself to struggle and defiance.” (p. 125, Worster)

I think in this quote, Worster really captures the way people felt about nature during Darwin’s time. I believe they wanted to find their roots and become part of nature again, but didn’t know how to go about it. The wild was frightening to them, something humans had estranged themselves from and lost familiarity with. Since they had lost most all connections with the natural world, they set out once again to try and reestablish some sort of relationship between man and nature. On that journey, however, they discovered that nature is dangerous, but enjoyed the thrill of adventure they found in it.

I think for man to really understand nature, as Worster mentioned in this quote, man has to embrace it’s dangers, darkness, power it has over us and fear it induces in us to actually feel it’s breathtaking beauty, and appreciate nature more. I think once we discovered all it’s “fearful and demonic forces”, we have learned to be more respectful of nature, but have a long way to go in restoring what we destroyed.

shaun libman › [0]

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