Desert Solitaire, Chapters 4-6
Terms and Concepts: Chapter 4 gives us a poetic catalog of the plant and animal life in the high desert country where Arches park is located. Appreciate the variety of plants, some of their adaptations to the desert, and their utility to animals and people. Don't make the mistake of thinking that Abbey's affinity for this wildlife is given uniformly to all species. He has obvious favorites, and others he shows destain for. Understand how this man who claims to be in touch with the wildlife around him can kill a rabbit with such little emotion.
Abbey's true feelings about tourists, government, and the tourism business become clear in chapter 5. Be able to describe what he thinks about the development of parks in the name of progress. Understand the competing points of view in the debate over access to our national parks, the "preservers" and the "developers." Be able to explain the points of view of both sides in this debate.
Appreciate the impact of commercial mining, especially for uranium, on the social fabric and the economy of small, rural desert communities such as Moab. Now that the uranium industry is largely disappeared from this area, consider the added importance of tourism to this region.
Assignment: Write a twelve line, rhyming poem using the animals and plants Abbey's discusses in these chapters. You may focus on a single species, such as the juniper tree, or use a number of the animals and plants he mentions. Your poem should give the reader an indication of the unique appearance and role the species has in the desert biome.
As an alternative to this poem you may submit a 6 word "poem" describing a plant, animal, or the Utah desert in general. This must be written in exactly 6 words, does not need to rhyme, and must capture the essence of your subject.
Due: 13 February.
Image of Cliff Rose from Webshots
