Playing Underground: Thoreau and the Queer AntipastoralAuthor: Laura Zebuhr, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MNArticle Citation: Zebuhr, Laura. "Playing Underground: Thoreau and the Queer Antipastoral." Regeneration: Environment, Art, Culture 1, no. 1–2 (2024): pp. 1–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16995/regeneration.16505Published: Regeneration: Environment, Art, Culture, peer-reviewed open access journalOpen Access License: CC-BY 4.0
Introduction
Mole Philosophy: The work situates Thoreau’s "Walden" within a philosophical tradition that underscores the importance of depth of understanding, likening it to the burrowing habits of moles. This metaphor highlights the necessity of digging beneath superficial appearances to uncover profound truths about nature, society, and human existence.Contrast with Light: Thoreau’s metaphorical mole contrasts significantly with the outright brightness of the sun, which symbolizes the familiar and comforting aspects of life but also represents a lack of mystery and depth. The quest for deeper understanding and authenticity challenges the prevailing notions that emphasize clarity and linearity in human experience.Queer Antipastoral: The term “queer antipastoral” is employed to enact a critique of conventional pastoral ideals by incorporating themes of unpredictability and erotic curiosity—a celebration of the deviations from normative experiences in nature. This framework suggests that nature, rather than offering clear and idyllic representations, is rife with complex, often chaotic interactions that evoke curiosity rather than comfort.
The Stakes of Sunshine
Dependence on the Sun: Thoreau acknowledges the vital role of the sun as a source of life while also recognizing its cyclical and predictable nature, which can instill a false sense of stability in the natural world.Anxiety-free Prediction: The pastoral perspective often propagates an illusion of reassurance provided by nature's cycles; however, this view can lead to complacency, especially in light of ongoing environmental destruction and the unpredictability of climate change.Critique of Pastoral Imagery: The perceived reliability of the sun is critiqued through a lens of ecological realities, shedding light on the illusion that pastoral representations are sufficient descriptors of nature’s complexities.Leo Marx’s Argument: Marx’s detailed analysis exploring the historical layers of pastoral discourse showcases the stark contrast between an idealized nature and the harsh realities of industrialization, bringing attention to the inconsistencies and oversights in traditional pastoral narratives.
The Contradictions of Pastoral Ideals
Complexity in Pastoral Texts: Various authors have navigated the intricate tensions between pastoral ideals and the demands of capitalism, particularly in their narrative portrayals of the sun, seeking to reconcile both perspectives.Thoreau's Relationship to Pastoralism: Thoreau’s works oscillate between an embracing of and a critique against idealized pastoral imagery, encapsulating the ambivalence experienced in reconciling human aspirations with natural realities.Ambivalence: This dichotomy manifests in Thoreau's depictions of sunlight, which serve as a complex metaphor having layers of meaning that extend beyond their immediate interpretations.
Mole Philosophers
Influence of Historic Philosophers: Important figures in philosophical history, such as Kant, Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche, often utilize the mole as a metaphor to illustrate the concepts of introspection and deep philosophical discovery, underscoring the necessity of probing beneath the surface to gain insights into complex ideas.Mole as Metaphor: Moles as symbols promote a rich epistemological exploration, advocating for a method of understanding that persistently challenges surface appearances and accepted norms, stimulating critical thought about knowledge itself.
Thoreau's Burrowing
Thoreau as a Burrowing Creature: Thoreau describes himself as engaged in a form of intellectual burrowing, seeking deeper insights into the human condition and the natural world, reflecting a conscious effort to navigate beyond mere appearances to uncover more profound truths.Pastoral vs. Antipastoral: Thoreau’s writings reveal moments that disrupt typical pastoral narratives, introducing unexpected truths that challenge the linear understanding of natural cycles, responding instead with a queering of these traditional narratives.
Insects in "Walden"
Emerging Insects: Thoreau skillfully utilizes the metaphor of insects, such as the seventeen-year cicada, to illustrate themes of unpredictability and the interruption of expected natural cycles, emphasizing the chaotic elements of existence.Challenge of Assumptions: Through his observations, Thoreau stimulates a questioning of preconceived notions surrounding natural cycles, advocating for a critical examination of expected norms and anticipated outcomes in nature.Narratives of Transformation: The unexpected emergence of insects serves as a broader narrative reflecting themes of transformation, resurrection, and potential—highlighting that life often unfolds in complex, non-linear ways that defy conventional understanding.
Conclusions on Burrowing
Journey Underground: Thoreau's exploration is not merely a physical or intellectual exercise but a journey that seeks to penetrate and disrupt societal norms while inviting critical analysis of traditional knowledge frameworks in pursuit of deeper truths.Queer Antipastoral Resistance: The explorations presented in Thoreau’s work challenge established beliefs and preconceived notions surrounding knowledge and truth as well as the intricate relationship shared between humans and the natural world.Reflection on Nature's Complexity: Ultimately, Thoreau’s work posits that life is inherently unpredictable; it critiques the limitations of a purely pastoral lens, advocating instead for an embrace of complexity and ambiguity in the pursuit of understanding nature and humanity.
