The Unsettling of America

In “On the Cliff,” Berry explores the relationship between humans and the natural world, focusing on the concept of human limits. He questions the value and respect that people give their bodies, emphasizing that physical existence intrinsically connects to the earth. Ancient and artistic representations, such as the cave paintings at Lascaux and Shakespeare’s King Lear, illustrate an understanding of human smallness within the vastness of creation. This cultural humility is a reminder of the proper relationship of humans to the natural world.

“On the Tower” discusses how the industrial era altered humanity’s view of nature, leading to a loss of humility and an inflated sense of power. With industrialization, wilderness was romanticized, quantified, and objectified. Humans began to measure and dominate nature, diminishing their sense of smallness. Berry contrasts Shakespeare’s depiction of Gloucester’s spiritual rebirth on the cliff with Hart Crane’s portrayal of despair on a bridge, showing how modern alienation results from people’s fascination with grandeur and estrangement from the natural world.

In “Health,” Berry draws a connection between human well-being and agriculture, emphasizing that health is fundamentally about wholeness, not merely the absence of disease. He critiques modern medicine’s narrow view of health for focusing solely on curing disease without considering broader aspects of well-being.