Visions of Human Labor in Nature in 20th Century American Literature

• Other Authors: Elliott, Jeremy (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Humanities
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-7366

This dissertation raises the question of how environmentalists should consider the idea of human labor in nature. This is ultimately a part of the greater question of what we consider the relationship between humanity and nature to be. Dominant 20th century American environmentalist draws a clear line between humanity and nature, thus rejecting any idea of the appropriateness of human labor in nature. This is an unhelpful position, as it effective prevents environmentalists from having any part of the conversation of how labor should proceed in nature. As such, the contention of this dissertation is that we must fashion a less dichotomous theoretical vision of this relationship. This dissertation considers a variety of 20th and 21st century American literary interpretations of human labor in nature, all of which can be helpful in structuring a more functional and complex understanding of the relationship between humanity and nature. === A Dissertation submitted to the Program in Interdisciplinary Humanities in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Spring Semester, 2013. === December 10, 2012. === Labor === Includes bibliographical references. === David Johnson, Professor Directing Dissertation; Paul Outka, Professor Co-Directing Dissertation; Juan Carlos Galeano, University Representative; Frederick Davis, Committee Member; Timothy Parrish, Committee Member.