Abstract
Daniel Quinn’s My Ishmael presents a scathing critique of modern civilization through the contrasting lenses of the “Takers” and the “Leavers.” The Takers, representing industrialized societies, are characterized by their insatiable consumption, their domination of nature, and their pursuit of endless growth. The Leavers, embodying Indigenous cultures, offer a stark contrast, prioritizing ecological balance, intergenerational wisdom, and a harmonious relationship with the natural world. This article argues that the Leavers, with their emphasis on community, interconnectedness, and reverence for the Earth, embody many of the core tenets of the Romantic movement. Like the Romantics, they critique the alienation and dehumanization of industrial society, celebrate the power of nature, and seek a more authentic and meaningful existence. While the Leaver model may represent an idealized vision, it serves as a powerful critique of the Taker worldview and offers a valuable framework for rethinking our relationship with the environment and with each other. My Ishmael ultimately serves as a call to action, urging readers to question the prevailing paradigms of progress and to seek more sustainable and equitable ways of living.
Keywords
References
- Ağıl, N. (2009). Önsöz. In W. Wordsworth, PRELÜD Bir Şairin Zihinsel Gelişimi (N. Ağıl, Trans., pp. 9-18). İstanbul: YKY.
- Aksakal, H. (2020, April 6). DOĞANIN VE YÜCENİN ŞAİRİ: WILLIAM WORDSWORTH 250 YAŞINDA. Retrieved from Ek Dergi: https://www.ekdergi.com/doganin-ve-yucenin-sairi-william-wordsworth-250-yasinda/
- Allegretti, C. (2024, December 11). The Romantic Period. Eastern Connecticut State University : https://www.easternct.edu/ speichera/understanding-literary-history-all/the-romantic-period.html adresinden alındı
- Galitz, K. C. (2004, October). Romanticism. The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ roma/hd_roma.htm adresinden alındı
- Güvenç, Ö. (2014, May). William Blake and William Wordsworth’s Reactions to the Industrial Revolution. Çankaya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, pp. 113-123.
- Izenberg, G. N. (1992). Impossible Individuality Romanticism, Revolution, and the Origins of Modern selfhood 1787-1802 . PRINCETON: PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS.
- Leitherner, J. (2012). Corporate Sustainability: Interpretation, Implementation and the employee. Master’s Thesis. Sweden: Linnæus University School or Business and Economics.
- O’Neill, M., & Callaghan, M. (2018). The Romantic Poetry Handbook. London: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Patel, A. K. (2023, July). The Role Of Nature In Romantic Poetry: A Study Of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, And Keats. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT), 11(7), pp. 528-535.
- Peckham, M. (1951, March). Toward a Theory of Romanticism. PMLA, 66(2), s. 5-23.
- Quinn, D. (1997). My Ishmael. New York: Bantam Books.
- Salvador, A. (2021, January 13). Nature Through a Romantic’s Lens. (R. Singh, & A. Khan, Eds.) Retrieved from Reclamation Magazine: https://reclamationmagazine.com/2021/01/13/ nature-through-a-romantics-lens/ Sayre, R., & Löwy, M. (2005). Romanticism and Capitalism. In M. Ferber (Ed.), A Companion to European Romanticism (pp. 433-449). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
- Wordsworth, W., & Coleridge, S. T. (2005). Lyrical Ballads. (R. L. Brett, & A. R. Jones, Eds.) London & New York: Routledge.
Abstract
Daniel Quinn’in My Ishmael romanı, “Alanlar” ve “Bırakanlar” arasındaki çarpıcı karşılaştırma yoluyla modern medeniyete sert bir eleştiri getirir. Sanayileşmiş toplumları temsil eden Alanlar, doymak bilmez tüketim, doğa üzerindeki hakimiyet ve sınırsız büyüme arayışıyla karakterizedir. Yerli kültürleri temsil eden Bırakanlar ise çarpıcı bir kontrast oluşturarak, ekolojik denge, nesiller arası bilgelik ve doğayla uyumlu bir ilişkiyi önceliklendirir. Bu makale, Topluluk, bağlantılılık ve Dünya’ya saygı vurgusuyla Bırakanların, Romantik hareketin temel ilkelerinin birçoğunu somutlaştırdığını savunmaktadır. Romantikler gibi, onlar da endüstriyel toplumun yabancılaşma ve insanlık dışılaşmasını eleştirirler, doğanın gücünü kutlarlar ve daha otantik ve anlamlı bir varoluş arayışındadırlar. Bırakanlar modeli idealize edilmiş bir vizyonu temsil edebilse de Alanlar dünya görüşüne güçlü bir eleştiri oluşturur ve çevre ve birbirimizle olan ilişkimizi yeniden düşünmek için değerli bir çerçeve sunar. My Ishmael nihayetinde, okuyucuları, ilerleme paradigmalarını sorgulamaya ve daha sürdürülebilir ve adil yaşam biçimleri aramaya teşvik eden bir eylem çağrısı olarak işlev görür.
Keywords
References
- Ağıl, N. (2009). Önsöz. In W. Wordsworth, PRELÜD Bir Şairin Zihinsel Gelişimi (N. Ağıl, Trans., pp. 9-18). İstanbul: YKY.
- Aksakal, H. (2020, April 6). DOĞANIN VE YÜCENİN ŞAİRİ: WILLIAM WORDSWORTH 250 YAŞINDA. Retrieved from Ek Dergi: https://www.ekdergi.com/doganin-ve-yucenin-sairi-william-wordsworth-250-yasinda/
- Allegretti, C. (2024, December 11). The Romantic Period. Eastern Connecticut State University : https://www.easternct.edu/ speichera/understanding-literary-history-all/the-romantic-period.html adresinden alındı
- Galitz, K. C. (2004, October). Romanticism. The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ roma/hd_roma.htm adresinden alındı
- Güvenç, Ö. (2014, May). William Blake and William Wordsworth’s Reactions to the Industrial Revolution. Çankaya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, pp. 113-123.
- Izenberg, G. N. (1992). Impossible Individuality Romanticism, Revolution, and the Origins of Modern selfhood 1787-1802 . PRINCETON: PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS.
- Leitherner, J. (2012). Corporate Sustainability: Interpretation, Implementation and the employee. Master’s Thesis. Sweden: Linnæus University School or Business and Economics.
- O’Neill, M., & Callaghan, M. (2018). The Romantic Poetry Handbook. London: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Patel, A. K. (2023, July). The Role Of Nature In Romantic Poetry: A Study Of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, And Keats. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT), 11(7), pp. 528-535.
- Peckham, M. (1951, March). Toward a Theory of Romanticism. PMLA, 66(2), s. 5-23.
- Quinn, D. (1997). My Ishmael. New York: Bantam Books.
- Salvador, A. (2021, January 13). Nature Through a Romantic’s Lens. (R. Singh, & A. Khan, Eds.) Retrieved from Reclamation Magazine: https://reclamationmagazine.com/2021/01/13/ nature-through-a-romantics-lens/ Sayre, R., & Löwy, M. (2005). Romanticism and Capitalism. In M. Ferber (Ed.), A Companion to European Romanticism (pp. 433-449). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
- Wordsworth, W., & Coleridge, S. T. (2005). Lyrical Ballads. (R. L. Brett, & A. R. Jones, Eds.) London & New York: Routledge.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | British and Irish Language, Literature and Culture |
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | July 17, 2025 |
| Submission Date | December 31, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | July 7, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025Volume: 49 Issue: 2 |
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