The Harmonious Life betweeen the Cherokee and Nature in Forrest Carter's The Education of Little Tree

Mei, Triman Zai (2023) The Harmonious Life betweeen the Cherokee and Nature in Forrest Carter's The Education of Little Tree. Diploma thesis, Universitas Andalas.

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Abstract

Currently, the problem of disharmony between humans and nature are among the most discussed topics in academia, media, and beyond. Human and nature are interdependent and interconnected. Both of them supplement one another and depend on one another for existence. This thesis investigates the relationship between human which is the Cherokee tribe and nature in Forrest Carter’s The Education of Little Tree (1976). The novel explores the Cherokee ways of life in preserving nature with a traditional Native American worldview and philosophy of life that make them get harmonious life with nature. Little Tree as a main character represented Cherokee culture and life. In analyzing this work, the writer uses theory of ecocriticism proposed by Cheryll Glotfelty and Greg Garrard. In addition, the writer also applies Land Ethic concept by Aldo Leopold to show that nature has the same rights as humans to live. Furthermore, this study is also supported by mimetic approach by M. H. Abrams and philosophical approach by Guerin. This analysis is based on a qualitative descriptive method in which the main data is the novel The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter. The supporting data are taken from writings or books that are relevant to the topic of this research. The results of this study indicate that there are two forms of consciousness that make the Cherokee people live in harmony with nature. First, the Cherokee tribe has understanding the existence of plant and animal as a part of human life; second, the Cherokee tribe preserve all kinds of living creatures on earth, with several philosophical values that they believe in. This study found that there are three philosophical values of the Cherokee life that make them live in harmony with nature. First, Cherokee people belief that life is shared with every living creature; Second, Cherokee has a philosophy of acceptance and oneness with nature; Third, Cherokee belief that everything in nature is alive. Nature is a part of humans’ life and the living things are depending on nature as a source of life. Therefore, the condition of nature depends on how humans treat nature, humans should get harmonious relationship one another with nature.

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