Document Type
Honors Thesis
Major
Philosophy
Advisor(s)
Michael Swacha
Committee Members
Don Beith, Jason Canniff, Rosalie Purvis
Graduation Year
August 2022
Publication Date
Fall 8-2022
Abstract
Halfway Through the Wood is a creative project guided by the question, does nature have intrinsic ethical, philosophical, and/or spiritual value, or do we project it there? As a subsidiary question, is our relationship with nature akin to our relationship with ourselves? The novel begins with a “man versus nature” conflict, exploring human relationships to land, then moves on to a conversation about self, which ultimately leads to an incredulous/existential discourse about interconnectedness. The novel explores the implications of experiencing grief alongside natural systems, and concludes that enmeshing oneself within a natural system is vital for discovering meaning after experiencing grief.
Recommended Citation
Whinston, Julia, "Writing an Existential Novel: An Environmental and Philosophical Exploration" (2022). Honors College. 771.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/771