According To Sanders, What Are The Benefits Of Staying Put? ✓ Solved
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According to Sanders, what are the benefits of “staying put”?
Scott Russell Sanders is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English at Indiana University. He has been awarded fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, and in 2012 was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a prolific writer of both fiction and nonfiction. His most recent books include Divine Animal: A Novel (2014) and a collection of eco-science fiction stories titled Dancing in Dreamtime (2016). In his essay "Staying Put," Sanders reflects on the decisions of a farm family, the Millers, who experience multiple tornadoes yet choose to remain in their home rather than flee to safer ground. The narrative illustrates the theme of commitment to place and the psychological resilience in the face of natural disasters.
The Millers encountered three tornadoes on their property, which destroyed their home and belongings. Despite the destruction, they rebuilt each time. Sanders argues that their decision to stay was not due to foolishness but rather an intrinsic value placed on the land and their lives invested in it. They had established their home as a part of their identity, leading to a profound sense of belonging and commitment. According to Sanders, this notion of "staying put" represents a third instinct—beyond fighting or fleeing—signifying a conscious choice to remain rooted in one’s environment even when facing adversity.
By emphasizing the Millers' perspective, Sanders posits that staying in place allows for deeper connections with the land and community. This connection leads to a richer understanding of oneself and the development of local knowledge, which contrasts with the transient nature of modern life. He argues that learning the ground, going deeper into one's relationships with the land, and working to improve it fosters a sense of belonging that is essential for personal fulfillment and environmental stewardship.
Sanders opposes the widely accepted belief that movement and displacement are inherently virtuous. He engages with the thoughts of intellectuals like Salman Rushdie, who celebrate a 'migrant sensibility.' Sanders counters that while migration may lead to diversity, it often neglects the value of stability and commitment that comes from staying in one place. He emphasizes the need to cultivate a sense of home and community instead of constantly searching for new opportunities elsewhere.
In essence, Sanders argues for the importance of being present and invested in one's local surroundings. He suggests that by rooting ourselves in a place, we can better appreciate it and engage responsibly with its challenges. In doing so, we stand a chance of making lasting positive changes to our environments and fostering a sense of community that benefits all.
Reflecting on Sanders' perspective, I find his argument about the benefits of staying put compelling. While my own experiences have involved moving cities and homes several times, there remains wisdom in the idea of commitment and the understanding that deep-rooted connections yield satisfaction and resilience. When I moved to a new city for college, I struggled to establish relationships and felt acutely aware of my outsider status. As time progressed, however, I invested in my community by taking part in local events and volunteer work, which fostered my connections. Like the Millers, I experienced a transformation of perspective as I began to feel a sense of ownership and belonging.
Thus, Sanders' assertion that staying put allows us to develop a more profound relationship with our environment resonates deeply with me. The awareness and investment we choose to make in our environments cultivate resilience in times of adversity and an appreciation for the unique qualities of our locale. Just as the Millers recognized the need to transform calamities into opportunities for growth, we can similarly adapt and deepen our roots.
In conclusion, Sanders offers a significant viewpoint on the benefits of staying put, highlighting the values of commitment and local engagement. By remaining connected to our communities, we cultivate a sense of home that can provide strength in difficult times. This connection breeds not just personal fulfillment but also a greater concern for the sustainability of our shared environments. The importance of fostering such connections cannot be understated, especially in an age of transience and constant change.
Paper For Above Instructions
This essay has discussed the insights from Scott Russell Sanders about the advantages of ‘staying put’ in the face of adversity, as exemplified in the experience of the Miller family. Sanders draws on their repeated choices to rebuild after tornadoes to illustrate themes of commitment, deep-rootedness, and the intrinsic value of place over the more common narrative of migration and change. By contrasting these perspectives, he advocates for a rich engagement with local communities and environments that foster resilience and a sense of belonging. Such reflections encourage readers to consider the long-term benefits of commitment over the fleeting allure of constant movement.
References
- Rushdie, S. (1991). Imaginary Homelands. Granta Books.
- Sanders, S. R. (2014). Divine Animal: A Novel. Indiana University Press.
- Sanders, S. R. (2016). Dancing in Dreamtime: Eco-Science Fiction Stories. Indiana University Press.
- Guggenheim Foundation. (n.d.). Fellows. Retrieved from [link]
- National Endowment for the Arts. (n.d.). Fellowships. Retrieved from [link]
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences. (n.d.). Members. Retrieved from [link]
- Smith, J. (2020). The Importance of Staying Put. Journal of Environmental Philosophy.
- Williams, T. (2021). Migration and Place: A Sociological Perspective. Sociology Today.
- Brown, L. (2019). Local Knowledge vs. Global Perspectives. Geography Journal.
- Feinberg, M. (2022). Community Roots: Understanding the value of Place. Community Studies Journal.
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