An Analysis of Wendell Berry’s book “The Unforeseen Wilderness”

Abstract

Nature has been always a focus point for writers and poets. However, human beings have acted as the pivotal enemy of nature throughout history. Nature is as vital as fresh water and good bread. =The Unforeseen Wilderness by Berry is an important book since he artistically illuminates the beauty of nature. He talks about a small place called “The Red River Gorge of Kentucky”, but his standpoint is applicable to the whole world. In fact, Berry has a real feeling for nature. In this book he concentrates on various themes connected with the American treatment of nature. Migration is a central issue. He sees human beings as the potential destroyers of nature. In this book, Berry notes how people migrate and follow their dreams, plans and schemes in order to obtain profits from nature. They are not aware of where they live. Hence, they can easily ruin nature since its importance is hidden from them. Another theme that Berry deals with polemically is the mechanical concept of the world. He takes issue with so-called “agri-business”, seeing it as an attack on the essence of nature. All in all, The Unforeseen Wilderness delineates the beauty of untouched nature and explicates how individuals are accomplices in the ruin of this nature in their desire to create their materialistic surroundings.