“A Whole New World”
Living in a twenty-first century society having a relationship with the natural world is the last thing on a person’s mind. In this century, nature is taken for granted. One might say nature is underappreciated and not as valued as it probably should be. Jane Goodall’s essay “In the Forests of Gombe” shows the flip side of what we believe the natural world to be. In Goodall’s essay she describes the many things she has learned while spending time in Gombe. Of the many things she has learned she puts an emphasis on what non-human primates have taught her about humans. These teaching made her realize that the natural world is not so strange after all. Goodall discusses becoming one with the natural world, using the natural …show more content…
Early in the passage we learn that Goodall’s husband has recently died from cancer. She talks about how the forest has been there for her, helping her heal and move on from this tragic event. Goodall states, “It was in the forest of Gombe that I sought healing after Derek’s death, gradually during my visits, my bruised and battered spirit found solace” (Goodall 145). During her time in the forest she was able to get a clear understanding of the non-human primate world. In the life of a chimpanzee death is something that happens. It’s something you acknowledge. It’s something you move on from. Chimpanzee’s showed her that death is a part of the “endless cycle of life” (Goodall 146). After realizing this she was able to heal from the loss of her husband in a healthier way. She suddenly stopped looking for answers as to why he died and began to realize that it was one of those things that cannot really be explained. Seeing a different way to approach death opened her up to new ways to deal with her emotions. Goodall defines the natural world as “A world that dwarfs yet somehow enhances human emotions” (Goodall 147). She is showing that although being there has stunted her emotions, it has also made her acknowledge them and deal with them. Throughout the passage, Goodall recalls situations where being in the forest has helped her overcome her emotions and sadness better than she would have handled it back home. Although these situations all dealt with the death of her husband, they were all different branches of her husband’s death. Relocating to Gombe was her job, but it was also a getaway for Goodall, away from death, sadness and most importantly, away from humans. Gombe was Goodall’s support system throughout this life changing experience. Goodall developed a relationship with not only the natural world surrounding her, but also with the ones who
Living in a twenty-first century society having a relationship with the natural world is the last thing on a person’s mind. In this century, nature is taken for granted. One might say nature is underappreciated and not as valued as it probably should be. Jane Goodall’s essay “In the Forests of Gombe” shows the flip side of what we believe the natural world to be. In Goodall’s essay she describes the many things she has learned while spending time in Gombe. Of the many things she has learned she puts an emphasis on what non-human primates have taught her about humans. These teaching made her realize that the natural world is not so strange after all. Goodall discusses becoming one with the natural world, using the natural …show more content…
Early in the passage we learn that Goodall’s husband has recently died from cancer. She talks about how the forest has been there for her, helping her heal and move on from this tragic event. Goodall states, “It was in the forest of Gombe that I sought healing after Derek’s death, gradually during my visits, my bruised and battered spirit found solace” (Goodall 145). During her time in the forest she was able to get a clear understanding of the non-human primate world. In the life of a chimpanzee death is something that happens. It’s something you acknowledge. It’s something you move on from. Chimpanzee’s showed her that death is a part of the “endless cycle of life” (Goodall 146). After realizing this she was able to heal from the loss of her husband in a healthier way. She suddenly stopped looking for answers as to why he died and began to realize that it was one of those things that cannot really be explained. Seeing a different way to approach death opened her up to new ways to deal with her emotions. Goodall defines the natural world as “A world that dwarfs yet somehow enhances human emotions” (Goodall 147). She is showing that although being there has stunted her emotions, it has also made her acknowledge them and deal with them. Throughout the passage, Goodall recalls situations where being in the forest has helped her overcome her emotions and sadness better than she would have handled it back home. Although these situations all dealt with the death of her husband, they were all different branches of her husband’s death. Relocating to Gombe was her job, but it was also a getaway for Goodall, away from death, sadness and most importantly, away from humans. Gombe was Goodall’s support system throughout this life changing experience. Goodall developed a relationship with not only the natural world surrounding her, but also with the ones who