Magic and the Environment
For
those unfamiliar with it, the plot of the Eragon series is comparable with a medieval
Star Wars. For those who have read it, this description does not do the story
justice but it is fairly accurate. The story takes place in the land of Alagaësia,
a land permeated with magic. While magic is present throughout the land, there
is one location where it is greatest in concentration and effect: Du
Weldenvarden – “The Guarding Forest,” home to a highly magical race of beings
called elves.
Du Weldenvarden
According
to the legend, Du Weldenvarden was once a completely normal and unimpressive
forest – not unlike many temperate forests in the real world. However, this
changed drastically with the arrival of the elves. The elves are a humanoid
race that inherently posses magical powers, and who can use this ability to
shape and effect nature. When they moved into the region now known as Du
Weldenvarden, they used magic to enhance the growth of the forest, causing it
to spread and develop in every direction. Once the forest had grown, they
placed enchantments all along its borders. The elves’ magic is conveyed through
spoken word, and for that reason they sing to the forest in order to affect it.
As Eragon’s elf companion Arya explains as they make their way through Du
Weldenvarden en route to the capital city of Ellesméra:
“It is to keep
the forest healthy and fertile. Every spring we sing for the trees, we sing for
the plants, and we sing for the animals. Without us, Du Weldenvarden would be
half its size.” As if to emphasize her point, birds, deer, squirrels – red and
gray – striped badgers, foxes, rabbits, wolves, frogs, toads, tortoises and
every other nearby animal forsook their hiding place and began to rush madly
about with a cacophony of yelps and cries. “They are searching for mates,”
explained Arya. “All across Du Weldenvarden, in each of our cities, elves are
singing [this song]. The more who participate, the stronger the spell, and the
greater Du Weldenvarden will be this year.” (Eldest, 214)
Arya
The
elves are a race that will never have to contend with a major environmental disaster.
They coexist perfectly with the natural world, forming a perfect symbiotic relationship.
Unlike societies that evolve apart from the natural world (such as our own),
utilizing technology and taking advantage of the natural world strictly with
our own gains in mind, they progress in direct relation to their environment.
In large part,
environmental crises are a result of humanity's disconnection from the natural
world, brought about not only by increasing technology but also by
particularization; that is, a mentality of specialization that fails to
recognize the interconnectedness of all things. – Thomas K. Dean
There
are no poor elves, none starve, and there is little conflict in general. It is
the closest thing to a utopian society, yet it is entirely natural. The only
problem with this approach is the possibility of stagnation. Because they have
reached a type of symbiosis with the environment, neither the elves nor the
environment have any reason to change at all. This could be construed as either
positive or negative, as it is essentially perfect but will never change
without outside intervention. Coincidentally, the only real conflict faced by
the elves is intrusion by “less natural” races from outside of their forest,
specifically humans.
The
interconnectedness of things is the key point of elvish philosophy. This mentality
is most readily comparable to the original Native Americans. The feeling of
connection with nature if what drives this nature focused ecological mindset.
Oromis
whispered, “Open your mind Eragon. Open your mind and listen to the world
around you, to the thoughts of every being in this glade, from the ants in the
trees to the worms in the ground. Listen until you can hear them all and you
understand their purpose and nature. Listen, and when you hear no more, come
tell me what you have learned.’” (Eldest, 290)
While
not actually human, the Elves represent an ideal relationship with the earth
and environment. Modern society relies on second-hand knowledge, not knowledge
gained from experience or interaction with the environment. There is an
inherent knowledge gained from a connectedness with the earth. Elves are a
representation of ancient people in the way that their knowledge was gained
from nature. They learned from the animals and the trees and the patterns of
nature and through that became an essential element within the natural system
of the forest. Even though they aren’t real, there are still important lessons
the elves can teach us.
Bibliography
"Christopher
Paloilini Biography." World Biography. Advameg, Inc., n.d. Web.
<http://www.notablebiographies.com/news/Ow-Sh/Paolini-Christopher.html>.
Dean,
Thomas K. "What Is Eco-Criticism?" What Is Eco-Criticism? The
Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment, n.d. Web.
<http://www.asle.org/site/resources/ecocritical-library/intro/defining/dean>.
Paolini,
Christopher. Eldest. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. Print.
Parkinson,
Matthew. "BoxOfficeBoredom.com." 2012 :. N.p., 20 Apr. 2012.
Web. <http://boxofficeboredom.com/2012/?w=16>.
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