I touched on this in class, but I want to elaborate about how significant I think the eventual reveal of the truth behind Matacao actually is.
On page 202, right at the beginning of Chapter 30. That's where we get the reveal for Matacao, and it's more or less a throwaway section. No big build up, no huge public reveal. Just an acknowledgement of what scientists had figured out. Quiet. Discreet. Probably largely unnoticed by the masses. In fact, I would argue that in the world of Through The Arc of the Rain Forest, most probably went right on with wild speculations despite a logical conclusion being reached. It's noted that "As for Matacao itself, so-called Matacao plastic conservationists ran all over it, tearfully trying to find a solution for the preservation of this contemporary geological and, many insisted, spiritual miracle" (Yamashita 207).
Well color me surprised. Human beings choose to stick with a more fantastical, unfounded claim rather than accept what science has already proven to the be the truth? I bet that's never happened before.
Through The Arc of the Rain Forest provides a well constructed illustration of mankind's inability to separate themselves from their delusions. Even in the face of overwhelming evidence, MANY still choose to believe what they want to believe--simply because they can. It's this pattern that still leads to speculation about crop circles. Or people refusing to acknowledge the Theory of Evolution. Or bigfoot.
Matacao's eventual scientific reveal plays in to this idea. It's written in the book almost as an afterthought, as if to acknowledge that in the realm of the novel it would be ignored by many. This happens all too often in our own world as well. Crazy conspiracy theories, vivid fantasies and rampant false ideas are publicized while the actual, proven scientific truth is received with little fanfare or acknowledgement. People love their fantasies, love what makes them wonder or feel comfortable.
For many in the novel Matacao represented a kind of promised land, and they didn't want to let go of that. Even if it killed them.
On page 202, right at the beginning of Chapter 30. That's where we get the reveal for Matacao, and it's more or less a throwaway section. No big build up, no huge public reveal. Just an acknowledgement of what scientists had figured out. Quiet. Discreet. Probably largely unnoticed by the masses. In fact, I would argue that in the world of Through The Arc of the Rain Forest, most probably went right on with wild speculations despite a logical conclusion being reached. It's noted that "As for Matacao itself, so-called Matacao plastic conservationists ran all over it, tearfully trying to find a solution for the preservation of this contemporary geological and, many insisted, spiritual miracle" (Yamashita 207).
Well color me surprised. Human beings choose to stick with a more fantastical, unfounded claim rather than accept what science has already proven to the be the truth? I bet that's never happened before.
Through The Arc of the Rain Forest provides a well constructed illustration of mankind's inability to separate themselves from their delusions. Even in the face of overwhelming evidence, MANY still choose to believe what they want to believe--simply because they can. It's this pattern that still leads to speculation about crop circles. Or people refusing to acknowledge the Theory of Evolution. Or bigfoot.
Matacao's eventual scientific reveal plays in to this idea. It's written in the book almost as an afterthought, as if to acknowledge that in the realm of the novel it would be ignored by many. This happens all too often in our own world as well. Crazy conspiracy theories, vivid fantasies and rampant false ideas are publicized while the actual, proven scientific truth is received with little fanfare or acknowledgement. People love their fantasies, love what makes them wonder or feel comfortable.
why do you think Matacao is set in Brazil?!
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