Owning and Belonging: Southern Literature and the Environment, 1903 – 1979

View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Texas A&M University OWNING AND BELONGING: SOUTHERN LITERATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 1903 – 1979 A Dissertation by MICHAEL J. BEILFUSS Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY August 2012 Major Subject: English Owning and Belonging: Southern Literature and the Environment, 1903 – 1979 Copyright 2012 Michael J. Beilfuss OWNING AND BELONGING: SOUTHERN LITERATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 1903 – 1979 A Dissertation by MICHAEL J. BEILFUSS Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved by: Chair of Committee, M. Jimmie Killingsworth Committee Members, William Bedford Clark Dennis Berthold Tarla Rai Peterson Head of Department, Nancy Warren August 2012 Major Subject: English iii ABSTRACT Owning and Belonging: Southern Literature and the Environment, 1903 – 1979. (August 2012) Michael J. Beilfuss, B.A., SUNY New Paltz; M.A., SUNY New Paltz Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. M. Jimmie Killingsworth This dissertation engages a number of currents of environmental criticism and rhetoric in an analysis of the poetry, fiction, and non-fiction of the southeastern United States. I examine conceptions of genitive relationships with the environment as portrayed in the work of diverse writers, primarily William Faulkner, Robert Penn Warren, W.E.B. Du Bois, Zora Neal Hurston, and Elizabeth Madox Roberts. Southern literature is rarely addressed in ecocritical studies, and to date no work offers an intensive and focused examination of the rhetoric employed in conceptions of environmental ownership. However, southern literature and culture provides fertile ground to trace the creation, development, and communication of environmental values because of its history of agrarianism, slavery, and a literary tradition committed to a sense of place. I argue that the concerns of the two main distinctive threads of environmental literary scholarship—ecopoetics and environmentalism of the poor—neatly overlap in the literature of the South. I employ rhetorical theory and phenomenology to argue that southern authors call into question traditional forms of writing about nature—such as iv pastoral, the sublime, and wilderness narratives—to reinvent and revitalize those forms in order to develop and communicate modes of reciprocal ownership of natural and cultural environments. These writers not only imagine models of personal and communal coexistence with the environment, but also provide new ways of thinking about environmental justice. The intersection of individual and social relationships with history and nature in Southern literature provides new models for thinking about environmental relationships and how they are communicated. I argue that expressions of environmental ownership and belonging suggest how individuals and groups can better understand their distance and proximity to their environments, which may result in new valuations of personal and social environmental relationships. v DEDICATION For Kimberly, with whom I belong vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As with anything that is worth pursuing, I would not have been able to complete this dissertation without the help of countless supporters. I would like to thank my mother for all of her unfailing encouragement throughout the years, and particularly during the last few months when she listened to my ideas, helped me overcome some of the obstacles I faced, and provided valuable advice. I would also like to thank my late father, who supported me throughout my education, provided a voice of reason and stability in my life, and even followed me from New York to live in Texas for a few years. Knowing he was only a couple of hours away when I felt distanced from the rest of my family and friends proved to be a great comfort. I would also like to thank my brother James for offering some perspective and encouragement when I needed it. This dissertation would be nowhere near as comprehensive or as well written if it wasn’t for the guidance of my committee members. They have each provided incalculable assistance throughout the process, from recommending books for my reading list, to offering feedback on drafts, to asking tough questions which demanded the highest quality work. Special thanks are due to William Bedford Clark for encouraging my studies of Robert Penn Warren and William Faulkner, and for generously providing financial assistance with his Cornerstone Grant so I could present a paper at the annual Robert Penn Warren Circle Meeting in Kentucky. Dr. Clark has been an inspiration ever since he gave a paper on Warren in 2005 at the Centennial conference in New Paltz. Dennis Berthold and Tarla Rai Peterson each imparted unique vii perspectives and made a number of suggestions that resulted in a depth and breadth to my work that would not have existed without their guidance and timely questions. The chair of my committee, M. Jimmie Killingsworth, helped transform a somewhat befuddled and uncertain amateur into something resembling a professional ecocritic. He never accepted anything but my best work, and stood by me as a mentor, guide, and close friend. Without his patience and dedication to this project, I never would have been able to complete it. His scholarship, work ethic, and commitment to the field will always remain an inspiration. I am grateful to the Melbern G. Glasscock Center for Humanities Research for providing an opportunity, through the Graduate Colloquium, to present my ideas as they were just beginning to take shape. The Glasscock Center also provided funding on two occasions so I could attend conferences and present material to a broader audience. H.R. Stoneback was my first mentor who introduced me to the likes of Hemingway, Faulkner, Warren, Roberts, Eliot, and Pound. His passion and grace is infectious, and he helped set me on the path that resulted in this dissertation. Over the years his guidance and encouragement has been steadfast, and I will forever be grateful for his presence in my formative years and the years to come. All of the faculty at SUNY New Paltz share some triumph in any success I may have; they have fostered an excellent M.A. program, and they provided a sturdy foundation for further graduate work. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the support I received from a number of close friends. David Garvey is always there to remind me of the grace we have viii received over the years. He showed a genuine interest in my work, asked thought- provoking questions, and offered perspective. Jim Collard, who, like my father, also followed me from New York to Texas, was kind enough to hire me one summer and even put me up in his small apartment in Austin. More than anyone, beside my wife and immediate family, he tolerated my moods for years and remains a solid and loyal friend. Speaking of friends who followed me to Texas—Damian Carpenter and James Stamant offered companionship, stimulating conversation, and steady ears to listen to my ideas as I worked them out over cards, a pool table, or drinks. Thanks also to Nicole Stamant, who has always been thoughtful and encouraging. Jessica Durgan and I commiserated ever since we met during orientation and both felt like aliens in the Texas climate. Rebecca Harris proved to be a worthy adversary in literary and theoretical debates, and has helped me become more open-minded. Nick Lawrence provided an excellent pep talk when I was in the doldrums and could not see my way to the end of this project. Anne-Marie Womack offered invaluable advice. Stacy Branham fixed my computer and provided technical support free of charge. He also shares my love for Deutschland and provided an escape from literary discourse when I needed it the most. Jake Heil was an early mentor at Texas A&M and always provided a sympathetic ear. Thanks also to Shawn Moore and Galen Wilson for their friendship. I must also acknowledge the Thursday night softball team, particularly Brant Buche, Emily Hoeflinger, Steve Terry, Mike Williams, and Mark Zemanek. Those evenings on the diamond and in the parking lot after the games, proved to be a much-needed way to blow off steam and remember to enjoy the game. ix Lastly, to my loving and supportive wife, Kimberly. Her passion, fortitude, and sense of justice have been an inspiration for me. Her thoughtful advice was always timely. Much of the thinking that went into this project was a direct result of our discussions. None of this would be possible without you, nor would I be the person I am. Thank you. x TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION....................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................... x CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1 Regionalism and Bioregionalism in the Southern Environment .... 8 Appealing Stories......................................................................... 19 Ownership and Environmental Justice .......................................... 30 Belonging to the Southern

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