ABSTRACT
Lawrence Buell argues that the ideology of pastoralism defies easy categorization as “conservative” or “liberal.” Pilgrim at Tinker Creek testifies to the truth of this claim. On one hand it is “conservative” in that it represents a throwback to the 17th century, when natural theologians such as John Ray wrote primarily to prove the existence of God. On the other hand it is “liberal” in its postmodern view of nature as a verbal and psychological construct. Similarly, classifying Annie Dillard as a “nature writer” does her a disservice. She herself once said, “There's usually a bit of nature in what I write, but I don't consider myself a nature writer.” All of her work, including Pilgrim, reveals her desire to use the pastoral retreat to explore spiritual issues. Investigating the nonhuman world is for Dillard a religious experience, a way to communicate with God. 1
