에드워드 애비의 존재 탐구: 『사막의 은둔자』, 『집으로의 여행』, 그리고 『애비의 길』을 중심으로

Abstract

Edward Abbey is regarded as one of the most influential ecological or nature writers. He celebrates the American Southwestern desert, argues for wilderness preservation, and advocates politically-oriented environmental activism to defend wilderness. He, however, does not classify himself as a nature writer, but rather places himself in the tradition of a kind of autography. His books show his fascination with the delicate harmony of the desert, and at the same time his personal journey over the desert. That is, eco-centered, he keeps his journey into the heart of the desert. He finds the desert harsh, brutal, fatal, and most of all, indifferent. The desert reveals simplicity and mystery, silence and revelation, and emptiness and fulfillment. This mythical and paradoxical essence of the desert draws him into the place and inspires redemptive humility and beauty, which, in turn, peel off his old ego or self. During his journey, Abbey tries to immerge himself with the desert yet remains intact and individual. The desert serves for him as the bedrock which sustains him and offers an opportunity to gain a new whole perspective. Like a pocket hunter in the desert whom he characterizes himself, he sticks to the desert to dig out ground for his existence and survival. Pulling the energy and force of the desert into his soul, Abbey is free, or compelled to contemplate what is beyond the human. His experience in and of the desert leads to a discovery of self and initiates selfhood.