Blog Entry 7- Coexisting

People with even the most different beliefs, appearances, and opinions can find a way to coexist. Art and literature are an example of the media in which gender, color, age, and sexuality can be disregarded in order to appreciate something aesthetically. Being the indigenous people of the land or foreigners entering a new country can also breed understanding between cultures and people.

In Richard K. Nelson's "Woodsman" it seems as though the common threat of death by the hands of the woodsmen brought people together. Fear brings about a common understanding or in this case a common nightmare. When Nelson refers to "A Huslia man" (639) he is outlining the fact that the different cultures/groups have similar horror stories and experiences with the cannibalistic woodsmen. Although the woodsmen are a piece of folklore, the idea that a mutual fear can unite people is a way in which different cultures can come together and coexist.

            Another example of cultures/people coexisting can be found in Edna Palace’s Ice Palace. It appears that the peaceful interactions between people cause the: “kind of balloon feeling” (622) for everyone in the town. The tranquility exaggerated the senses of the writer who states, “It was true that everything in Baranof seemed exaggerated. Edges seemed sharper. Skies bluer. Mountains higher” (662) which shows the way in which a sense of peace can cause a person’s life to improve. The characters in the beginning of the piece seem to be on the same accord and working together instead of capitalizing on differences.

 

Edna Ferber (1957)

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/bartlett/palace.html

 

Ferber, Edna. "Ice Palace" Last New Land. Ed. Mergler, Wayne. Alaska Northwest Books, (c) 1996. 661-671.

 

Nelson, Richard K. "Woodsman" Last New Land. Ed. Mergler, Wayne. Alaska Northwest Books, (c) 1996. 636-641.

Blog Entry 6

Personally I don't interact with Alaskan wilderness on a regular basis. Thinking back to when I first moved to Alaska in 1999 (when I was 7), I became best friends with the girl across the street, and because of that friendship I became somewhat comfortable with Alaskan nature. When I was younger, playing in the tree house, by the slough or in the woods by my house was something I looked forward to. However, when my friend moved in 2003, I lost my desire to go out and play in nature.

Although I had some of my best childhood memories playing with my best friend in the woods, I believe that my perspective as a 20 year old has changed my view of Alaskan wilderness. I think that as I've gotten older, I've gained knowledge about how dangerous the Alaskan wilderness can be. A person can be so vulnerable when out in the Alaskan wild, and the possibilities of danger can arise not only from the weather, but the wildlife. The fear of extreme weather and animal attacks have kept me from venturing into nature as an adult. Which leads me to believe that as a child, I was more adventurous and willing to take risks, but as an adult I am more skeptical because I have some knowledge about the danger of the Alaskan Wild.

I believe that I have lost most of my wonder when it comes to the Alaskan Wilderness. Although I still find it breathtakingly beautiful at times, I make sure to keep my distance. I have never gone camping, hunting, and have only fished at a lake and once on a charter boat in Homer. I do enjoy nature, but its from a distance.

Photo of a Moose taken my my stepdad on trip to Anchorage in April 2011.

Highway infront of Mountain. Taken on trip to Anchorage April 2011.