Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Word Hoard for Edward Abbey's _Desert Solitaire_

Below is the collection of words that you all offered in class today. In your comments, feel free to address any of these ideas and to connect them as you see fit in regard to Abbey's memoir.

earthiest
death
struggle
politics
freedom
desert
hatred
Moab
dam
rustic
aggression
tourist
weekend-warrior
bacon
dust
naturalistic existentialist
anti-establishment
mining
pervasive(ness)
arrogance
loner
hypocrite
wannabe-naturalist
presumptuous
his truck (Chevvy)

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Edward Abbey

On Wednesday, we decided that it might be a good idea to review internet (and print, of course) resources for information on Edward Abbey's reception. This followed on our initial question of Wednesday's class, regarding whether Abbey is an environmentalist (and if so, what kind) or an existentialist. How is he received as an environmentalist? How are some of Abbey's more problematic pronouncements from _Desert Solitaire_ received by literary critics, by book reviewers, by members of those potentially offended groups? Let me know what you find out!