Abstract
This essay endeavors to share my experience with a pilot class called “Discovery of Gardens” which surveys and examines political, cultural, ethical meanings of gardens in English literature. As converged pedagogy of literary and environmental education, “Discovery of Gardens” begins with delving into philosophical and ethical speculations on gardening including Robert Pogue Harrison’s notion of “human gardener” and Michael Pollan’s theory of “garden ethic.” The class also critically investigates ambivalent and complex ideologies embedded in various forms of gardens in British and American history and how literary works have been reflecting and critiquing them. The final section of “Garden Literature” in the paper analyzes Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel Gardens in the Dunes, showcasing ecopolitics of ‘Avant Gardening’ which exposes the history of botanical imperialism in western gardens and at the same time inspires imagination and utopian aspiration for an alternative garden for the future. In conclusion, I suggest some ways to expand the scope and depth of the class into a regular class in English department for both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Published Version
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