Director, Environmental Studies
Professor of English

STUDY QUESTIONS
Scott Russell Sanders, “Settling Down”
At Home on the Earth

1. "Why did the Millers refuse to budge?" Do you think their attitude is a good one? Why or why not?

2. How does Sanders describe “our national mythology” concerning movement and staying put? Why does he criticize it? (82-83ff) Do you agree? Why or why not?

3. What does Sanders say about human nature and movement/staying put? How does that affect his ideal of staying put? What does he mean when he says "even nomads must be scholars of their bioregion?" How are aborigines different from “vagabonds?” (84ff)

4. Sanders, like many other nature writers we will consider, look to indigenous peoples (e.g., Native Americans) as models of having a “sense of place.” How do you respond to making “primitive” peoples as a model? Do you think that is valid? What are its limitations?

5. Sanders says that “local knowledge is the grounding for global knowledge.” What does he mean and why does he say that? Why does he say that those who lack this “are a danger . . . to the planet?” (88) Do you agree?

6. In your own words, what does Wendell Berry mean by “ecological intelligence” and “proprieties of place?” (89)

7. Sanders says that “I cannot live a grounded life without being grounded in a place.” (92) What does “grounded” mean here? What is the opposite of “grounded?” Do you agree with his view? Why or why not?

8. Do you feel like you “belong to the land, through … loyalty and awareness?” (87) Do you think that is good ideal? What would it take to achieve that feeling? Is that possible being a student? Is it possible in the modern, urbanized world? What keeps us from having that feeling?

9. For Sanders, how do you think connectedness to and responsibility to one’s place is related to social connectedness and responsibility? What is the relationship between the “eco” and the “social?”

10. At various points, Sanders brings up religion and spirituality (e.g. 90, 92). What does religion have to do with having a “sense of place?”

11. Given this one essay, how would you define “a sense of place?”

Back Home