Call of the wild
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A Problem of Nature in The Call of the Wild by Gary Snyder
The poem Call of the Wild by Gary Snyder represents an ecological view on relationship between nature and Western civilization, as well as on peace and war. The image of the West in this poem is characterized by repression, ignorance, and violence. It ruins both wild nature with its forests and animals, and civilized human 'nature'. Thus, the term nature itself appears to be problematic. I argue that Snyder is not a simple 'back-to-nature' poet who summons people to leave the cities and dissolve themselves in the dark woods. The Call of the Wild represents a number of ecological miscronarratives rather than one single ideologically charged macronarrative of Rousseauist type.
First, let us briefly overview Snyder's biography, which is closely connected to the ideas he supports in his poetry. Gary Snyder is an American poet, essayist, and environmental activist born in 1930 in San Francisco. His family was impoverished due to the Great Depression, so at the age of two they moved to a countryside. Snyder was raised on small farms in Oregon and Washington state. The nature of the countryside greatly influenced his ecological views. In particular, young Snyder was distressed by “the wanton destruction of the Pacific Northwestern forests” (“Gary Snyder Biography” para 3). Snyder also became interested in Native American culture as he believed it “offered a more harmonious relationship with nature“ (Ibid). Besides, American Indians were as much vulnerable as the nature in the teeth of Western civilization. Snyder studied at the Indiana University (Reed College those days) and Berkeley University, where he became fascinated with Oriental culture and Buddhism. While studying, Snyder also worked as a seaman, lumberjack, and fire watcher. Snyder graduated with degrees in anthropology and literature. Later, he was influenced by the Beat Generation and became a part of writers'
Instructor:
Course:
Date:
A Problem of Nature in The Call of the Wild by Gary Snyder
The poem Call of the Wild by Gary Snyder represents an ecological view on relationship between nature and Western civilization, as well as on peace and war. The image of the West in this poem is characterized by repression, ignorance, and violence. It ruins both wild nature with its forests and animals, and civilized human 'nature'. Thus, the term nature itself appears to be problematic. I argue that Snyder is not a simple 'back-to-nature' poet who summons people to leave the cities and dissolve themselves in the dark woods. The Call of the Wild represents a number of ecological miscronarratives rather than one single ideologically charged macronarrative of Rousseauist type.
First, let us briefly overview Snyder's biography, which is closely connected to the ideas he supports in his poetry. Gary Snyder is an American poet, essayist, and environmental activist born in 1930 in San Francisco. His family was impoverished due to the Great Depression, so at the age of two they moved to a countryside. Snyder was raised on small farms in Oregon and Washington state. The nature of the countryside greatly influenced his ecological views. In particular, young Snyder was distressed by “the wanton destruction of the Pacific Northwestern forests” (“Gary Snyder Biography” para 3). Snyder also became interested in Native American culture as he believed it “offered a more harmonious relationship with nature“ (Ibid). Besides, American Indians were as much vulnerable as the nature in the teeth of Western civilization. Snyder studied at the Indiana University (Reed College those days) and Berkeley University, where he became fascinated with Oriental culture and Buddhism. While studying, Snyder also worked as a seaman, lumberjack, and fire watcher. Snyder graduated with degrees in anthropology and literature. Later, he was influenced by the Beat Generation and became a part of writers'