A Friend of the Earth, by TC Boyle

Title: A Friend of the Earth, by TC Boyle

Required text: A Friend of the Earth, by TC Boyle Secondary sources: though not required, you may include additional research if it helps you explain your arguments about the literary work(s). Any secondary sources must be cited according to MLA style. Your Task: write an essay that presents a complex and sophisticated argument about A friend of the earth. Essays must focus on the text itself and should develop ideas beyond what we have discussed in class. Do not make a general or moralistic argument about climate change (such as “This novel shows that selfish humans have trashed the earth,” or “The author argues that we must act now, or we will all be doomed!”) While you may go beyond the rigid five-paragraph essay structure, you should still have a strong thesis statement, and body paragraphs that feature related topic sentences and which flow logically from one idea to the next. Please note that any literary work has many themes. Though this class is organized around climate change in fiction, you are not required to write about that topic explicitly. Additional text (you will choose one): “Yeah, the Weather Has Been Weird,” by Katharine Hayhoe; “A World at War,” by Bill McKibben “The Owner,” by Robin Wall Kimmerer “An Account of My Hut,” by Christina Nichol “Hermie,” by Nathaniel Rich; “Orphan Bird,” by Leah Newsom; “ “Cloud Dragon Skies,” by N.K. Jemisin. choose one of these texts to incorporate into the essay. I have many quotes i will share with you here as photos in order to help guide you. NEED A STRONG THESIS THAT IS ARGUABLE AND COMPLEX AND PRECISE!! The dystopian future depicted in TC Boyle's book "A Friend of the Earth" is one in which environmental degradation has reached catastrophic levels. Boyle criticizes the generation's passivity and lack of response to urgent environmental crises through the protagonist Ty Tierwater. Ty, a self-described "friend of the environment" and former eco-terrorist, represents the bold and extreme tactics that may be required to bring about change in a world that has lost touch with its natural origins. The year 2026, where the novel is set, is one in which environmental deterioration and climate change are both severely felt. Widespread starvation and drought have prompted the government to implement stringent control measures in order to address the situation. One of the few people who still feels a strong connection to the land and its natural cycles is Ty, who is now in his sixties. Boyle offers a counter-narrative to the mainstream indifferent and consumerist culture through his experiences and views, highlighting the significance of protecting the earth's natural resources for future generations. Boyle criticizes the narrow-minded and self-centered values of contemporary society through Ty's character. Ty's eco-terrorist operations are portrayed as a last-ditch effort to highlight the urgent environmental problems and the requirement for a prompt response. Boyle contends that the only way mankind can avert the worst consequences of climate change and environmental degradation is through a profound transformation in values and attitudes. Ty's acts serve as a reminder that the world is a finite resource and that it is our duty to protect it for coming generations. Finally, "A Friend of the Earth" is a thought-provoking book that encourages readers to reconsider their relationship with the environment and their obligations to preserve it. Boyle's depiction of Ty as a radical and extreme figure emphasizes the necessity and significance of environmental advocacy. The story acts as a wake-up call for a society that has lost touch with its natural origins via its grim future vision and serves as a warning that it is never too late to reverse course and safeguard the world for future generations.