Inverting the logic of catastrophe

Elisabeth-Jane Burnett’s narrative of directional metaphors

Abstract

In her narrative diary, The Grassling, the Anglo-Kenyan new nature writer, Elisabeth-Jane Burnett, transcends linear time and blurs the boundaries of geographical space. With a blend of poetry, timescapes, and an engaging style, The Grassling celebrates the marvelousness of both land and language, exploring the intersection of humans with the more-than-human world. In the framework of Ecolinguistics and Conceptual Metaphor Theories, the analysis is conducted using Positive Discourse Analysis to highlight the presence of positive evaluations in metaphors which traditionally are appraised as negative. Burnett’s work stands as a qualitative case study to reflect on the unusual directional evaluation down is good, reversing the basis on which Western growthism has been built, when that growthism itself is leading to disaster. This alternative evaluation challenges the conventional association of up with power and progress, thus emphasizing the value of down as a source of nourishment, stability, and regeneration.