Summary of Book
Supportive Arguments
Sociological Significance of, ‘A paradise built in hell’
Sociology: Book Review- A Paradise Built in Hell
Introduction
In this book review of Rebecca Solnit’s novel, ‘A Paradise built in Hell’ will offer a Summary of the author’s projects of ‘A paradise built in Hell;’ an assessment of her point of views; an examination of the supporting arguments for the positron she has taken and the significance of her work from a sociological perspective.
Summary of Book
“A paradise built in hell” describes the writer’s philosophy of disasters being opportunities as well as oppressive experiences. She depicts these concepts in exploring the sub caption, “The Extraordinary Communities that arise from Disaster.” Her precise remarks regarding this paradigm are, "At stake in disaster is the question of human nature The possibility of paradise is already within us as a default setting" (Solnit, 2009).
This book consist of five chapters which capture historical events ranging from 1906 San Francisco earthquake through to Katrina hurricane which ravished New Orleans in 2005. It would appear that the author was trying to explore a century of disasters facing America and how they have affected social change within communities and the American society at large.
Chapter 1 relates the San Francisco earthquake of 1906; Chapter 11, the Halifax cargo ship explosion in 1917; Chapter 111, Mexico City earthquake in 1985; Chapter 1V, September 11, 2001 attacks on the twin tower and Chapter V, the Katrina hurricane massacre of 2005.
In exploring these captivating historical episodes when serious natural and man made disasters strike this nation, Solnit (2009) emphasizes that there are patterns through which communities recovered physically and people emotionally to rebuild with altruism, love and an interconnectedness that could have only been realized from the experience.
Subtly, as she traces these five periods and situations within different parts of the country, interwoven in the ‘paradise built in hell’ concept a universal principle is perceived which is responsible for each recovery despite the levels of civilization embodied in the societies’ history. Solnit (2009) explains, ‘disasters are extraordinarily generative” (Solnit, 2009).
Further, she explores the concept of extraordinarily generative to highlight the historic temporary ‘Utopia’ these disasters create amidst initially inhumane reactions from bureaucratic structures contained in responding to these hurricanes, earthquakes or bombings. It brings out selfishness whereby authorities tend to value property more than lives or people as well as the emergence of compassion in the long term (Solnit, 2009).This she alludes to the extraordinarily generative potential of national disasters when they occur.
In summarizing this summary of the work, ‘A paradise built in hell’ Solnit (2009) simply highlights phases of social justice and injustices which forge social changes in society when disasters occur. This is discretely exemplified as she discusses the aftermath of these events whereby ‘elite panic’ creates more harm than good. Their actions and reactions foster injustices which survivors abhor at such a time.
With this she projects that distraught empathetic people then derive the extraordinarily generative ability to face these constraints and rebuilt better communities based on trust and loyalty distinct from bureaucratic interventions. More importantly, in many ways they feel sabotaged by authorities who subject them to exploitation. Out of this emerges a utopia which latter sets the pace for invigorated actions
The author’s point of view was explicitly sensitive to the dilemma of communities caught in a disaster to the extent of expressing it in, ‘A paradise built in hell.’ The theme of her discourse lay in alerting the reading audience that disasters are functional regardless of how they may be perceived by the communities experiencing them, the bureaucracy that encapsulates their existence or the political correctness of actions taken in the aftermath.
This point of view was expressed with confidence in a story telling fashion even while outlining the seriousness of interactions during and after a collapse of the physical structures. Also, she was loud in her critics of persons who felt that inhabitants of these communities are incapable of resolving issues without infiltrations of politicians and social control impositions of the ruling bureaucracy.
Further, in projecting this value paradigm she gave credence to people who despite violation of human rights, social injustices and prejudicial decisions have the fortitude to stand on their own and rebuilt. As these qualities were outlined she was lavish in her reference to aspects of San Francisco earthquake; Halifax cargo ship explosion; New Mexico earthquake; 9/11 and most recently Katrina in New Orleans.
Classic examples of how society can re-evaluate concepts of integrity, togetherness and truth is the thread which links her main point of view and are supporting propositions underlying it. This is substantiated throughout the exposition of, ‘A paradise built in hell’ to speak to readers that a society strength lies in the people who can visualize hope in the eyes of despair.
Supportive Arguments
Solnit’s (2009) supportive arguments can be considered within the context of her theoretical perspective which states “At stake in disaster is the question of human nature The possibility of paradise is already within us as a default setting" (Solnit, 2009).This hypothesis is supported by documentation of the emergence of spontaneous soup kitchens and erecting of camps for the homeless after the San Francisco earthquake 1906 (Solnit 2009).
Similar accounts have been recorded relating the Halifax explosion whereby survivors extended generosity towards each other. They demonstrated bravery, selflessness to people they never knew before the encounter since they were all in the same boat, literally. Solnit (2009) further gives the example of a New York school Principal who was caught up with the concern of her students’ safety that she totally forgot about her sister who was perishing in the World Trade Center that same day and time. The survival of her sister the principal recalled as the ‘miracle’ of the day.
Altruistic acts were also evident in the Katrina as survivors relate their experiences. It is not doubt then, that ‘At stake in disaster is the question of human nature The possibility of paradise is already within us as a default setting" (Solnit, 2009). The ability to recognize the oneness of all humanity when taken in the context of extraordinarily generative responses has become the basis of Solnit’s (2009) supportive arguments.
Sociological Significance of, ‘A paradise built in hell.’
Steven Winn (2009) reporting in the Sun Francisco Chronicle described, ‘A paradise built in hell’ as a book which ‘mounts a counter-institutional riposte to the Hobbesian, social Darwinian world view of society as a collection of purely self-interested parties’ (Winn, 2009). In further support of this analysis the reporter references Solnit‘s (2009) premise
that the few in power are the ones to exhibit ‘elite panic” by creating the most disorder during a disaster while masses take social actions to survive (Solnit, 2012).
Therefore, Solnit’s (2009) account of, “A paradise built in hell” describes the sociology of disaster across America , which can be interpreted within the conceptual framework of social action; social force; anomie; social change and functionalism. The scenario forges mobilization encompassing social action. People either fight or flight. Whatever the response it becomes a social force by which resolution or delusion can ensue.
Anomie is synonymous to ‘elite panic.’ When this occurs social order is compromised. Society becomes normless and people tend to go beyond social boundaries to either establish a state of benevolence or more chaos. This propels social change in attitudes and interactions one with the other. These changes can be temporary or lasting and usually precedes the Utopia Solnit (2009) speaks about in, “A paradise built in hell.’ Herein, the disaster functions to design a new social order. In essence this is the sociology significance of, ‘A paradise built in hell.’
Conclusion
The foregoing book review highlighted pertinent aspects of the book,”A paradise built in hell.’ A full summary was accounted for, the author’s point of view was clarified; how she supported that view was explained and the sociological significance of this masterpiece best seller was divulged.
Sonlit Rebecca (2009). A Paradise Built in Hell. San Francisco: Viking
Winn Stephen (2009). A paradise built in hell: The Extraordinary Communities that Arise In
Disaster. San Francisco Chronicle.
