Author Archives: Jackie Alcaide

The Emergence of the Environmental Humanities

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In The Emergence of the Environmental Humanities Robert Emmett and David Nye introduce environmental humanities as well as advocate for the importance of why we should pay attention to what is happening. Instead of just explaining what environmental humanities is and what kind of research they can present, they address a big problem right in the beginning—which is getting people to listen to what they have to say and figuring out a way to entice people to care about it.

For starters, Emmett and Nye explain that “…scholars and writers are breaking down academic barriers between the humanities and the sciences, even as these separations are being breached in the larger society.”(6) Pointing out the division between science and humanities that is beyond academic, put to the public. This separation has been an ongoing issue and bridge between the two is needed to further push the importance of environmental humanities. Especially if this study is to be taken seriously, not only those representing this should be involved but those who are still learning about it as well.

They continue to explain that the kind of approach is a delicacy in its own way stating, “Major global financial and development agencies now recognize that addressing the public requires value systems and registries of information that are more nuanced than conventional date”(8) While they understand that their data is major, looking at numbers and facts is not the only way that will increase the awareness for environmental humanities. As they mention, “They demand broad thinking, teamwork across the disciplines, and knowledge that is affective, or emotionally potent, in order to be effective or capable of mobilizing social adaptation.”(8) In this last sentence they communicate that being affective goes hand in hand with effectiveness in this situation. In order to achieve the attention they want, touching the emotions of people plays a big role in the adaptation of environmental humanities. Emotions is ultimately what is going to get people interested, especially if they feel connected to the situation because it could be affecting their own life. Which can be a selfish way of thinking, but humans can be quite self centered and not care about what is going on around them unless it is directly affecting them.

Exposure

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In the eyes of the little mermaid we are amazing species that can “…fly across the sea upon ships, and scale mountains that towered above the clouds; and the lands they possessed— their fields and their forests— stream held away far beyond the reach of her sight.”(118) hold a much higher value in comparison to her own life. As she is saying this while herself being apart of a specie that can live up to 300 years underwater and become one with the sea. Anderson uses this part of the story to reflect on moments where one might show appreciation for the capabilities of different creatures(or people) while simultaneously downplaying our own. What we feel we are lacking in can turn into an obsessive desire that we must obtain, for only then will we be content with who we are.

The little mermaid continues this idea when discussing with her grandmother the afterlife for humans sorrowfully comparing her end of life “I would willingly give all the hundreds of years I may have to live, to be a human being but for one say, and to have the hope of sharing int he joys of the heavenly world.”(118) The yearn to have a soul—to live beyond the enclosure of the water, is strong enough to direct the little mermaid into wanting to give up the life she would have.

Comparing this to the human relationship to other creatures on the planet who live in the air, live in the water, etc., I think Anderson in this part of they story at least— shows gratitude and appreciation towards other creatures. Showing sensibility to the others that we share the land with, even if we might wish we could fly or live in the water, helps with our understanding of the environment.

For The Best… Or Not

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After Raymondin was finally able to enter the sacred room for Melusina and had seen her in her truest form, he was sure that whatever he was going to find behind that door couldn’t be what he imagined and it wasn’t! This should have been the best possible outcome for him, isn’t this what he hoped for? Except this was the worst outcome. His relationship with her was broken the moment he entertained his obsession with the pursuit of finding out what he didn’t know and he acknowledged this stating, “So it was he alone who was culpable! It had come to that! He was sure of her now, but too late!” (P.124) He could not go back how things were and the consequences of his actions were yet to come. It would have been better if his assumptions would have been right and his obsession that was slowly consuming his every thought was going to be worth it, except it wasn’t.

Leading up to this part of the story, I noticed the amount of times that the revelation of Melusinas secret was almost stopped which I thought was pretty interesting. From his inner feelings of doubt, the blade of his knife getting stuck and breaking off, to forgetting his lamp and wishing to go back to retrieve it. This all wasn’t enough to hold him back from finding out what he wanted to know. Like an itch that he could not resist to scratch, he would not have been satisfied until he found out what was behind those doors.

Temptation

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The curse that was applied to Melusina was much bigger than just punishment for her wrongdoing, it was a future test for trust and patience for her future husband. The husband had to be strong enough to not only verbally agree to not pursue the desire to see her on a Saturday but to also act upon it. His desire to respect her wishes and to trust her had to be much bigger than his desire to know what he didn’t know about her, in which he failed, resulting to the rupture of their relationship. Melusina’s story represents just how big temptation can be in a relationship and how naturally as a human (or non-human) we are curious creatures who can be easily guided into giving in. Although for Melusina it appears that she was cursed from the start considering the following quote,

“But destiny, that would have Melusina single, was incensed against her.” (P. 87)

This makes me think that no matter what she could have done, in any universe/ world/ time, the revelation of her secret would have always happened. The temptation in her story would have always won while her hope for trust would have always lost. Although her ending did not go as she wished, it did go as planned because at the end of the day our life will always end how it is meant to.

Hi I’m Jackie!

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Hi everyone my name is Jackie! I am an English and Comparative Literature major who transferred from San Diego Miramar College this year. I am super excited to continue my education here at SDSU and I’m looking forward to all the knowledge I will gain from classes. My favorite form of writing is creative writing, I feel like I can write for so long and just pour out my ideas freely. I currently work in dentistry and love working with teeth just as much as I love writing creatively. I am so passionate about both and after graduation I hope to continue working in dentistry while still continuing my writing because why not? 🙂

Outside of work and school, I enjoy creative outlets that mainly involve working with my hand such as painting (even though I am not super great at it), ceramics— which I did in 3 semesters of at Miramar. A newer creative outlet I’ve picked up is learning how to play the drums. My dad is a musician and has guided me into learning how to play the drums, it was so hard for me at first but I’m proud to be able to play a couple songs now. With most of these hobbies, I tend to put them on pause during the semester because things can get pretty hectic with work and schoolwork so I definitely look forward to them during the breaks.

I am looking forward to this semester with all of you! 🙂