Shades of green: perspectives on nature in Nancy Lord's 'Green Alaska'

Abstract

This thesis is a work of literary criticism, specifically eco-criticism, of the non-fiction book 'Green Alaska: Dreams from the Far Coast' by Alaskan writer Nancy Lord. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the literary techniques employed by Lord in her representation of nature in this book. Furthermore, the purpose of this thesis is to present Lord's book to the critical field in order to open a discussion of her work among other critics. It is argued that Lord uses the multiple meanings of the word 'green' and multiple perspectives concerning nature to complicate perspectives and perceptions of nature in order to develop a more responsible view towards the world. Some of these variant meanings of green nature are green money, green envy, and green naïveté. Because Nancy Lord provides multiple voices and interpretations of nature in Green Alaska, no single definition or perception can remain constant, and common perceptions and definitions of nature must be reconsidered. This exploration of various meanings creates a need for introspection. The important question becomes not 'What does green mean?' but 'Why does green mean whatever meaning we choose to assign it?' Uncertainty upsets the human desire for stability, and readers must then reconsider how they see the nonhuman world.