The Unsettling of America

From the outset, The Unsettling of America establishes a critical tone as Berry uses a mix of satire, irony, and straightforward critique to challenge the industrialization of agriculture and its devastating effects on both the land and rural communities. The book’s purpose, which Berry clearly articulates in the prefaces and the first few chapters, is to expose the moral, environmental, and cultural failures of industrial agriculture while inspiring reconsideration of sustainable, ethical alternatives. Berry’s use of literary elements, such as tone, themes, and rhetorical techniques, help reinforce his arguments as he paints a grim but realistic picture of how modern farming practices destroy not only the land but also the human communities connected to it.

Throughout the book, Berry’s tone is deeply critical, at times scathing, as he highlights the absurdity and hypocrisy of modern industrial agriculture. In the first preface, Berry positions his book as not only a critique but also a reflection on long-standing cultural issues that he urges people not to dismiss as outdated. He acknowledges the challenge of addressing such a topical subject, stating, “I can only insist that my book is not for that reason out-of-date” (ix). This insistence speaks to the timelessness of the deeper cultural and ethical issues he addresses. Berry’s tone here is both urgent and defiant, underscoring his belief that while figures like former Secretary of Agriculture Earl Buts may come and go, the problems stemming from industrial agriculture remain as relevant as ever.

The irony in Berry’s tone is evident when he critiques the misplaced optimism of US policies that promise progress in the name of democracy and freedom while perpetuating exploitation:

If [exploitation] does happen, we are familiar enough with the nature of American salesmanship to know that it will be done in the name of the starving millions, in the name of liberty, justice, democracy, and brotherhood, and to free the world from communism (12).

This sarcastic statement mocks how corporate and governmental leaders often cloak their actions in moral righteousness while advancing destructive agendas. By using this tone, Berry is not merely condemning industrial practices; he is exposing the cognitive dissonance and false narratives that support them.

At its core, The Unsettling of America seeks to challenge readers to see beyond the facade of industrial progress and recognize the need for systemic change. Reflecting on environmental groups, Berry critiques the deep disconnect between what people say they value and how they act, declaring, “The split between what we think and what we do is profound” (20). This profound gap between ideology and action is a recurring motif, suggesting that societal values regarding agriculture and progress need reevaluation before meaningful change can occur.

A central theme in the opening chapters is The Degradation of Land Through Industrial Agriculture. Berry views the land not as an expendable resource but as a living system that requires care and stewardship. He argues that industrial agriculture, through its reliance on monocultures, heavy machinery, and chemical inputs, strips the land of its fertility and erodes its capacity to sustain life. This is evident in Berry’s detailed critiques of practices like strip mining and the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, which damage soil health and biodiversity. His concern is not just for the land itself but also for the broader ecological consequences, since the health of the land intimately links to the health of the communities and ecosystems that depend on it. Berry’s depiction of industrial agriculture as a force of destruction aligns with his larger argument about the disconnect between people and the natural world. He presents the idea that industrial farming treats the land as a mere commodity, reducing it to a means of production rather than a complex system that requires thoughtful stewardship. This degradation is not just physical but moral in that it reflects a broader societal failure to honor the land’s intrinsic value.

Another key theme these chapters introduce is The Disintegration of Rural Communities in the wake of industrialization. Berry argues that the consolidation of farms into large-scale, corporate operations displaced small farmers, leading to the breakdown of local economies and social networks. This links closely to the loss of traditional farming practices, which often had their roots in a deep sense of place and community. As industrial agriculture advances, rural areas are hollowed out, marginalizing the people who once lived in close connection to the land or forcing them to migrate to urban centers. Berry’s tone in discussing rural communities is one of sorrow and frustration. He laments the loss of small-scale farming as a way of life, seeing it as part of a broader erosion of cultural and moral values. This disintegration is both a social and ethical problem because it reflects a failure to recognize the importance of human relationships to the land and to each other.

Berry’s deep concern with The Ethics of Farming and Land Use is evident in this section, and he frequently returns to this theme throughout these early chapters. He contrasts exploitative practices, which prioritize short-term profit over long-term sustainability, with what he calls “kindly use,” a more ethical approach that emphasizes stewardship, care, and respect for the land. The ethics of land use, for Berry, are not just about sustainability but about maintaining a relationship of reciprocity between humans and nature. Supporting this theme is Berry’s use of personal anecdotes and letters, such as the letter from David Budbill, who critiques the “Terrarium View” of conservation, which treats land as a possession to be observed rather than actively engaged with. Budbill’s statement that “the sin is not trespass, the sin is letting the apples go to waste” (33) highlights the ethical failure of passivity in land use. Berry uses this to argue that true ethical farming involves a responsibility to actively nurture the land rather than simply protect it from use.

In addition, Berry introduces the theme of Sustainable Alternatives to Industrial Agricultural Practices, suggesting that a return to smaller-scale, diversified farming is both possible and necessary. He advocates farming practices that have roots in local knowledge and prioritize the health of the soil, water, and communities over profit. For Berry, sustainable agriculture is not just an environmental issue but a cultural one, requiring a fundamental shift in how people think about their relationship to the land. Berry’s vision of sustainability links to his critique of specialization, which he argues has fragmented both knowledge and responsibility. He calls for a more holistic approach to farming, one that integrates ecological, social, and economic factors. This approach, he suggests, is the only way to create a truly sustainable agricultural system that can support both the land and the people who depend on it.