Themes In Faulkner's The Carnivore Way

These stories highlight some of the most important issues of the current era, both in different ways. In Eisenberg’s book The Carnivore Way, a more modern take on the current state of the ecological system. Eisenberg presents lots of logical facts and scientific statistics that are used to prove her point. In the other spectrum, Faulkner’s Big Woods collection tells a more narrative approach to telling the reader. He uses fictional characters to invoke emotions from the readers and insight his own messages to the reader, all while keeping the messages ambiguous to the reader. Each stories have certain compliments to each other and contradictions to each other. First, Eisenberg’s The Carnivore Way puts heavy emphasis on her own experiences …show more content…
One strong theme that both stories share that might be more of a coincidence is the theme on predators. In “The Bear” Old Ben is descripted as a powerful force of nature that was even said to be invulnerable to bullets. A force to be wrecking with and helped symbolically balance out the human desire for urbanization. As seen with the deforestation of the forest after its death. In The Carnivore Way, the take is similar but with more realistic emphasis on how carnivores work, how they adapt, and there importance on the environment. An example is with my own research I did on wolves. Wolves get rid of weak and sick animals in the environment, and also as stated in The Carnivore Way it keeps the elk/deer on their toes and constantly on the move. This allows for plants to grow and replace the plants eaten by the elk. Likely hood of wolves attacking a human are very low as they are more afraid of humans and only will approach humans if they become exposed and comfortable. Meaning humans are more likely to be attack by bears than by …show more content…
The other story is more scientific facts and acts like a research paper with a goal and agenda that are clearly stated in the beginning of the book. Faulkner write in a style that vague and ambiguous. He doesn’t tell you how to think and leaves the message hanging in the air for you to ponder. Subtlety, giving his own message in the atmosphere and way the characters think, but never putting a wrong or right answer within the book. Both stories offer strong points to their point in very different styles. For instance, Eisenberg’s approach allows for the reader to know what they are getting into and open their mind for future discussion with the author in an attempt to convince the reader of her goals. On the other hand with Faulkner, it allows the reader to get immersed in the narrative and become the characters. Using emotion to potentially persuade the reader, but not in an overpowering way.
The Carnivore Way and Big Woods are good stories that encompass many themes related to ecology and conservation of wilderness. It consists of many themes that I couldn’t have even include within this essay. Both bring up major points about the balance of nature and the conservation of its wild life. But each book isn’t without their differences as Eisenberg’s book The Carnivore Way centers more on scientific research and facts. As opposed to Faulkner’s Big Woods which puts heavy reliance