Director, Environmental Studies
Professor of English

Study Questions on Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire

Page numbers in (parenthesis) refer to the 1971 edition. Page numbers in [brackets] refer to the 1975 edition.

Below are study questions for almost all chapters of Desert Solitaire. You are responsible only for questions in the chapters that are requried reading.

As Word document

Author’s Introduction

1. Abbey explores the problems and possibilities of using language to write about nature. What are the problems he sees in using language to write about nature? What is his goal? What does he mean by “accuracy,” the “loose net” of language, the poetry and truth of simple fact, a “world of words,” and “evocation?” At the end of the introduction he talks about the book as an “elegy,” a “memorial,” a “tombstone,” a “bloody rock.” What does he mean, and why does he make these statements? What does he mean by throwing it “at something big and glassy?”

2. In talking about the “surface of things,” Abbey offers his first statement of his philosophy of nature. That philosophy and the theme of surface will reappear throughout the book. What is he saying about surface, patterns of relationships, and underlying reality? What is he arguing against? Why do you think he says what he does? How does his view compare to other writers we have discussed? Do you agree with his view?

The First Morning (1-8) [1-8]

1. Which of the Seven Elements of Nature Writing are found in this chapter? Which ones are the most common?

2. What literary techniques does Abbey use in this chapter? (Pay particular attention to the way he writes descriptions of nature.) What is his stance? His persona?

3. How do you respond to his “ridiculous greed and possessiveness?” Why does he feel it? How do you think Terry Tempest Williams would respond to that attitude? Do you think it is appropriate?

4. The paragraph starting with “Like a god…” is a crucial one concerning his philosophy of nature, his ecopsychology, and his spirituality. What are the various points he is making about nature and consciousness? Do you think this is a good ideal -- would you like to experience such a “hard and brutal mysticism?” Do you think it is possible? How is this related to spirituality?

Solitaire (9-16) [9-16]

1. Abbey talks of “A suspension of time, a continuous present.” What kind of experience is this? Is it related to the “hard and brutal mysticism” of the previous chapter?

2. Abbey watches “the sky and the desert dissolve slowly into mystery.” Mystery is a prominent theme in his writings. What does he mean by it? How is it related to his emphasis on the clarity and surface of what he sees in the desert? How is it related to spirituality?

3. What are the characteristics of Abbey’s experience of solitude? What aspects of solitude does he emphasize? How is that solitude related to the social and political?

Cliffrose and Bayonets (26-47) [25-44]

1. Why does Abbey say “Bricks to all greenhouses!” How do you respond to that? How do you think he would reply to your response? [27]

2. How does Abbey describe the desert? What aspects does he emphasize? How are his descriptions of the desert similar to and different from those of Terry Tempest Williams?

3. What is the significance of his statement “Love flowers best in openness and freedom”? How is that related to his descriptions of the desert? How is it related to his social philosophy? [29]

4. Abbey contemplates his “favorite juniper” [30-31]. He says he has “failed” in his attempts to discover the significance of its form. What does he mean, and why does he say it? How is this related to his philosophy of nature and to his ecopsychology? What does he mean when he talks of the juniper’s “internal effort at liberation”?

5. Why does Abbey kills a rabbit [38-39]? How does he understand the event? What does that say about his philosophy of nature? About the relationship between humans and nature? What does killing the rabbit have to do with being “kindred”? How do you react to this incident? How might he respond to your reaction?

6. What is Abbey’s view of the nature and meaning of Delicate Arch [40-41]? What does he mean by the “tangible and mysterious things-in-themselves” [42]?

Polemic: Industrial Tourism and the National Parks (48-73) [45-68]

1. What does Abbey mean by “industrial tourism?” What are his criticisms of it? (Make a list or a succinct paragraph.)

2. Why does Abbey make these criticisms? What are his root conceptions and values that lead to the criticisms?

3. Do you agree with his criticism and with his concepts and values? Why or why not?

4. Do you think his rhetorical strategy – the way he makes his points – is effective? Why or why not?

Cowboys and Indians, Part II (119-140) [109-128]

1. Abbey presents a complex philosophy of solitude (119-122). Analyze as precisely as you can the different, and perhaps conflicting, aspects of that view.

2. Abbey presents a controversial social analysis of Indians. What is his basic view, why does he hold it, and do you agree?

3. He also presents a critique of “cowboyism.” What is his basic view, why does he hold it, and do you agree?

Water (141-160) [129-146]

1. Analyze the literary techniques of the thunderstorm passage (148-150, from “In July and August” to “exultation”). What kind of techniques does he use?

2. What kind of effect does this passage have on you, and why?

3. How is his literary style different from that of Terry Tempest Williams?

The Heat of Noon : Rock and Tree and Cloud (161-170) [147-156]

1. What is Abbey’s philosophy of wilderness?

2. What is his political criticism of our society that is linked to his view of wilderness? Do you agree with that criticism? Why or why not?

3. How does he describe the sound of insects and the vulture (167-8)? How do you respond to his description?

4. Pages 169-170 give us a fuller sense of Abbey’s philosophy of nature, his ecopsychology, and his spirituality. Summarize the views presented in this passage according to those three elements of nature writing. Also relate this passage to the one on page 7 about a “hard and brutal mysticism.”

The Moon-eyed Horse (171-187) [157-172]

1. This section has perplexed readers of the book. One way to read this is as a work of fiction, with the horse as symbolic, rather than an account of a real event.

2. What do you think Abbey’s point is here? What is it included?

3. What does it tell you about Abbey’s conception of and relation to nature?

4. Is it possible to view the horse as a metaphor or symbol, perhaps of Abbey or part of his personality?

Down the River (188-245) [173-220]

1. A strong theme in this chapter and in other writings by Abbey is the notion that the earth is a paradise. How exactly is this theme of paradise developed in this chapter? What kind of paradise is it – and what kind is it not? Since his use of the term differs from the conventional meaning, why does he use the word “paradise?”

2. A related theme in this chapter and other writings is the ideal of returning to an original paradise. How exactly does he present this theme here? What kind of relationship with nature does he express? Some critics have said that this is a romantic fantasy and psychological regression to childhood. Others have argued that there simply is no such thing as “original nature” -- humans, including Native Americans, have always manipulated nature. How do you respond to his development of this theme? Why?

3. Abbey raises the issue of misanthropy (hatred of humans), which he has been accused of. How does he present this issue and his relationship to such an attitude?

4. What kind of “freedom” does he praise in the opening pages of this chapter? How is it related to his complaint about domestic routine, etc.?

5. How does Abbey develop the theme of wilderness? List aspects; be specific. How is it related to his ecopsychology? How is it related to his notion of civilization? Why does he say “No wonder the Authorities are so anxious to smother the wilderness. . .” [178]? Why does he think people want “to reduce the wild and prehuman to human dimensions” [216]?

6. What is Abbey’s view of God [208-9]? What does he mean by calling himself an “earthiest?” Try to be specific about what the term might and might not mean.

7. Why does Abbey “sometimes choose to think . . . that man is a dream, thought an illusion, and only rock is real” [219]? And what does he man by saying “It means nothing” and why does that imply “Therefore, sublime?”

The Dead Man at Grandview Point (259-271) [233-244]

1. In two passages earlier in the book, Abbey talks about killing the rabbit, but preferring to kill a human rather than a snake.  On page 262 [236] he talks about killing domestic dogs to feed the coyotes.  What do you think is his reason for wanting to kill some animals and not others?

2. Abbey speaks of the abyss and nothingness, and being on the edge and at the brink of the unknown. What does he mean by these terms? What do these passages say about his philosophy of nature?

3. Abbey presents a complex view of death in this chapter. (He also explores this theme in other chapters.) Make a list of the various aspects of his view of death. How do you respond to his view?

4. What are the two apparently contradictory truths Abbey relates at the end of the search for the dead man [242]? Can they be reconciled? Paradox is a theme that runs through the book. What kind of paradox is involved here?

5. What is the significance of his description of the vulture’s perspective at the end of the chapter? How does such a perspective affect one’s view of nature and of humans? What do you think Abbey means when he says he can "feel himself sinking into the landscape?"

Tukuhnikivats, the Island in the Desert (272-289) [245-260]

1. This chapter is an example of a traditional “ramble” type of nature writing. What (if anything) is the special significance of this climb?

2. Why does he list all the place names on 283-5 [255-6]? How does this affect you as the reader?

3. What kind of consciousness of nature does he describe at the end of that list? Is this a type of experience you have had? Do you think it is possible? Desirable? How does this consciousness relate to other descriptions of special awareness?

Episodes and Visions (290-312) [261-280]

1. What is his attitude toward tourists? How do you respond to it?

2. What does he mean by saying he is an exile and emigrant [265]? What does he mean by the “underground?”

3. Abbey presents a complex view of the special nature of the desert here. (He also discusses the desert in other chapters.) Make a list of the various qualities he sees in the desert. Why does he see it as different than mountains and the ocean?

4. Abbey discusses consciousness of nature, and warns to two dangers. What distinction is he making, and what is he concerned about? What is his resolution to the dilemma? What does this say about his ecopsychology and epistemology?

5. Abbey distinguishes civilization from culture, and in doing so uses these terms in his own idiosyncratic way. What does he mean by these two terms, and what is his evaluation of them? Do you agree with his distinction and judgment?

Terra Incognita: Into the Maze (313-329) [281-296]

Note: “terra incognita” is Latin for “Unknown Lands/Territory,” and was used in early maps of the world for unexplored areas.

1. The Maze is the name of a section of the desert. What metaphorical meanings might it have in this chapter?

2. Abbey comments on the entry in the BLM register that says “Keep the tourists out,” saying “As fellow tourists we heartily agree.” (Note also the comments the two make in the register at the end of the book.) He is clearly aware of the seeming contradiction. What is the point of stating this? Is it merely a contradiction, or is there a deeper philosophy of wilderness at work?

3. Abbey speculates about the possible relationship of the music of various composers to different types of nature. What significance do these comments have?

4. At the end of the section on music, Abbey reflects briefly on the nature of the desert. Make a list of the various qualities he assigns to the desert. What is the paradox?

5. Note his reference to “the brink of things, nothing beyond but nothingness.” Abbey uses imagery of “brink” in the Havasu chapter, and “nothingness” in several chapters. Do these terms have any meaning other than descriptions of what he sees?

6. Abbey and Waterman discuss the nature and value of naming things in nature. What are the different views that are presented? What is Abbey’s view of the “labyrinth of thought?” What is implied about the nature of “reality?” What is your view of the relationship between language and reality?

7. Abbey speculates that he and Waterman are the first non-Indians ever to come to this place. What significance does that have to him, and why?

8. He also says that the heart of the Maze remains unknown. Mystery and the unknown is a major theme in the book. What significance does the unknown have in Abbey’s spirituality and philosophy of nature?

9. Near the end of the chapter Abbey briefly comments “Ecstasy—and danger.” What does Abbey see as the relationship between the two? Why does he hold such a view? Do you agree?

10. Why does Abbey talk about bringing Christmas decorations to the Maze? How do you react to this passage?

Bedrock and Paradox (330-337) [297-303]

1. Abbey wrestles with his love of solitude the wilderness and his need to return to civilization [297-299]. What are the characteristics and tensions in his stance in relation to wilderness and civilization? List as many as you can find. At the beginning of the chapter he states that wilderness is “at the center of things, where all that is most significant takes place.” What does he mean? Do you agree?

2. “Who am I to pity the degradation and misery of my fellow citizens?” How do you react to this question?

3. Abbey says “If I’m serious, and I am, the desert has driven me crazy. Not that I mind.” What does he mean?

4. Abbey claims “ownership” of the desert. What does he mean? What are possible problems with such a view? Do you agree with this idea of ownership?

5. One major theme in the book is the “reality” of the desert. Why is this important to him? What exactly is his view of the reality of the desert and its relationship to humans?

6. The title of this chapter is “Bedrock and Paradox.” Note that in the very first chapter of the book, Abbey says, “I dream of a hard and brutal mysticism in which the naked self merges with a non-human world and yet somehow survives still intact, individual, separate. Paradox and bedrock.” What is Abbey’s bedrock? What is the paradox? How are the two related? Keep in mind that bedrock and paradox may have more than one meaning in the book.

7. Periodically Abbey presents a view of time, or at least the experience of time (thus both philosophy of nature and ecopsychology). Near the end of this chapter he says “All things are in motion, all is in process, nothing abides, nothing will ever change in this eternal moment.” What does he mean by this apparently contradictory statement?

Back Home