Date of Defense
4-21-2017
Date of Graduation
4-2017
Department
Gender and Women's Studies
First Advisor
Scott Friesner
Second Advisor
Cathryn Bailey
Abstract
Wild Freedom, A Fable is a work of utopian fiction that explores themes dominant in Western culture and offers more nature-centered, holistic ways of being. The fable is written from six different perspectives in order to explore diversity among gender, race, sexuality, ability, age, and other identities. This writing style was chosen because acknowledging and listening to diverse perspectives is essential to the creation of a just and equitable society. The ideas presented aim to break away from harmful dualisms dominant in Western culture, for example those that value culture over nature, the mind over the body, and the masculine over the feminine. This creative work seeks to promote collectivism rather than individualism and to acknowledge and explore the idea that nonhuman beings have subjecthood.
While exploring the value of gratitude, reciprocity, and intentionality in all interactions, Wild Freedom, A Fable questions contemporary Western society’s capitalism and consumerism by offering a system where sharing and giving thanks is valued over making capital and consuming. This piece challenges readers to question their own ways of thinking and the societal systems in which they participate; concepts that many people either accept without question, do not yet have the tools to question, or benefit from and therefore, do not need to question.
Because contemporary Western society is more dystopic than utopic, there are aspects of both in the fable, which are explored through the characters’ experiences of the past and present. This creative work offers communication, education, empathy, and gratitude as solutions for creating a cultural shift that will lead to more equity and justice for all life on earth. This piece acts as merely a place for the author and readers to begin, contributing to the conversations and awakenings that are already taking place and have been taking place in diverse communities for many years.
Recommended Citation
Field, Elizabeth, "Wild Freedom" (2017). Honors Theses. 2864.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/2864
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Defense Presentation