Slaying the Windigo: Fear and Faith in the Anthropocene

Author

Daniel J. Irwin, University of MontanaFollow

Year of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

English (Literature)

Other Degree Name/Area of Focus

Ecocriticism

Department or School/College

English

Committee Chair

Dr. Louise Economides

Commitee Members

Dr. Katie Kane, Mark Sundeen

Keywords

Sublime, Anthropocene Horror, Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer, Religion, Affect Theory

Subject Categories

Literature in English, North America | Other English Language and Literature

Abstract

This thesis examines the changing affect of fear in the environment and how it is influencing writing in the Anthropocene. Chapter one lays the groundwork for the present moment of ecocriticism, examining how the relationship with the environment has changed throughout the history of ecocritical writing. The second chapter examines how fear has been an intrinsic element of environmental storytelling, starting with the romantic ideas of the sublime. With the recognition of the impact that humanity has had on Earth over the past several centuries, and the accelerating acceptance of the idea of the Anthropocene since the turn of the century, the role of fear in our relationship with the environment has changed. Instead of just an agent to reveal the beauty of the sublime in nature, it has begun to manifest as grief and horror at the realization of the extent of humanity’s destruction of the natural world and despair at how powerless an individual is to slow or stop it. While this horror and despair can be debilitating, it can also be a catalyst to provoke action and unify individuals together into groups capable of effective activism and creating change. The third chapter discusses how storytelling can be an antidote for the horror and despair evoked by the Anthropocene. Using Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants as an example, the chapter evaluates how a blend of both a scientific and spiritual ecology can soothe the negative affects of the Anthropocene. It also evaluates how Kimmerer uses the legend and metaphor of the Windigo as a storytelling tool to demonstrate to her readers both the sickness that has infected our culture as well as how to craft an effective antidote for it.

Recommended Citation

Irwin, Daniel J., "Slaying the Windigo: Fear and Faith in the Anthropocene" (2025). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 12502.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/12502