How Does Richard Powers Use Characterization And Symbolism In The Overstory?

Humans and trees alike feel presence and loss in the natural environment and the protection of the trees as an elegant species is highly valued and constantly puts the lives of others at risk because of a strong connection. The environment that surrounds us drastically impacts the ties that are present with nature, how to solve difficult problems associated with dying resources, and by what means changing as a person through these experiences. In The Overstory, Richard Powers utilizes characterization and symbolism to express how the human race must develop a positive connection with the universe as a whole in order to find purpose and understanding of their existence.

Experiencing a traumatic event can often lead to a greater appreciation

Douglas, for example, embarks on a quest of self discovery, another development sparked by his interaction with nature when he climbs up one of the trees in an attempt to save it. “You’re cutting?... Douglas breaks toward the doomed trees… He’s a few feet up one of the trunks before somebody knocks him with the butt of a long pruning shaft. He smacks to the ground and lands on his bum leg” (Powers 189). A troubled man with a felony from an armed robbery forms a passion around trees when he notices the far-reaching impacts of deforestation. His awareness for trees grows so deep that he feels the need to protect these creatures at all costs even if it means trespassing, getting hurt, or committing another crime. While planting trees to try and slow down deforestation after all of his trouble, Douglas becomes concerned about the lack of trees in the forest when he sees that most of them are being cut down. “Have they been clear-cutting up the valley?... I thought the national forest was protected land” (Powers 87). This results in his actions of planting trees even though the amount of money he earns is exceedingly small. Even though the impact he makes is small, which symbolizes Douglas’ growing passion for the trees, he knows that what he’s doing now will impact lives in the future. An argument presented by Gale argues that trees will outlive the human race by a longshot. They support the argument by pointing out, “[t]rees are this novel’s most unexpected yet captivating characters. By their very nature, they embody beauty. But they also pulse with energy and resilience. Tough and resourceful, they battle difficult odds and often win. By a long shot, they outlast humans” (Richard Powers, Gale Literature). Even though trees are living things just like humans, they’re treated differently because of the lack of life