Author: Julia    Whinston

Major:

Graduation Year: 2022

Thesis Advisor: Michael Swacha

Description of Publication: 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.

Location of Publication:

URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/771