Waste and the Wasters: Poetry and Ecosystemic Thought in Medieval England

The book "Waste and the Wasters" explores how medieval poets used the terms "waste" or "wasters" to critique unsustainable relationships with the world and each other, helping people understand and navigate ecological crises.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 27 November 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

A groundbreaking exploration of ecological thought in medieval England delves into the profound significance of environmental catastrophe, despite the unprecedented scale of the current crisis. The book Waste and the Wasters takes us back to the late Middle Ages, a period characterized by a convergence of land contraction, soil depletion, climate change, pollution, and plague that engulfed Western Europe. In a society lacking formal scientific methods, the task of understanding and grappling with these ecological challenges fell upon medieval poets. These poets, armed with their poetic language, employed the terms "waste" and "wasters" to deliver powerful critiques of the unsustainable relationships between individuals and their surroundings, as well as their relationships with each other.

In her captivating book, Eleanor Johnson showcases the remarkable role that poetry played in helping medieval people navigate the ecological crises of their time, both material and spiritual. Through meticulous analysis and interpretation, Johnson demonstrates how poetry provided a lens through which medieval individuals could comprehend the intricate web of ecological interconnections and the profound impact of human actions on the natural world.

One of the key insights of Waste and the Wasters is the recognition of the interconnectedness of human societies and the natural world. The book highlights how the late Middle Ages witnessed a breakdown of traditional ecological boundaries, as human activities such as deforestation, overfishing, and pollution led to the degradation of ecosystems and the depletion of resources. Medieval poets, in their poetic expressions, captured the sense of disconnection and loss that accompanied these ecological disruptions, emphasizing the need for a harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.

Through their poetic lens, medieval poets also offered insights into the spiritual dimensions of ecological crisis. They recognized the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of maintaining a respectful relationship with the natural world. The poems often depicted nature as a powerful force, capable of both destruction and renewal, and urged individuals to find balance and harmony within themselves and their surroundings.

Moreover, Waste and the Wasters sheds light on the role of poetry as a means of cultural preservation and transmission. During the late Middle Ages, as literacy rates declined and formal education became less accessible, poetry became a vital tool for preserving cultural knowledge and values. The poems, often passed down through oral tradition, served as a means of transmitting ecological wisdom and understanding from generation to generation, ensuring that the lessons learned from the past were not lost.

In conclusion, Waste and the Wasters offers a profound exploration of ecological thought in medieval England, highlighting the interconnectedness of human societies and the natural world, the spiritual dimensions of ecological crisis, and the role of poetry as a means of cultural preservation and transmission. Through its meticulous analysis and engaging storytelling, the book provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between humans and the environment and offers a roadmap for navigating the ecological challenges of our contemporary world.

Weight: 313g
Dimension: 216 x 140 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226830179