To Become Oneself With Trees

Identity Formation and Tree Relations in Finnish Contemporary Poetry and Online Surveys

Authors

• Karoliina Lummaa University of Turku https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7252-9147
• Kaisa Vainio Itä-Suomen yliopisto https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8923-1920
• Aino Korrensalo Itä-Suomen yliopisto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0320-8689
• Tuomo Takala Itä-Suomen yliopisto https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2234-0615
• Eeva-Stiina Tuittila https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8861-3167

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30666/elore.126754

Keywords:

relationship with nature, identity, lyric poetry, narratives, trees (plants), Finnishness, environmental anthropology, ecocriticism

Abstract

Art, multidisciplinary research and public discussions about trees and forests are becoming increasingly popular in Finland, illustrating the growth in interest in nature, forests and nonhuman life. In this article, we examine the meaningfulness of trees and human–tree relationships for identity formation and self-conception in two different types of data: Finnish contemporary poetry published between 2019 and 2021, and responses to an online survey concerning Finns’ favourite trees conducted within the same time period. Both data types represent verbalisations of peoples’ feelings about trees. Our focus is on the ways trees and relations to trees are used in identity formation and in the expression of the self, life history and values, since this thematic is central in both of our data types. We concentrate on two sub-thematics from our data, one concerning memories and experiences relating to childhood and family, and the other concerning values and affection attached to trees, often expressed as a worry about losing one’s favourite tree.

Methodologically, we utilise thematic analysis and ecocritical close reading. In conceptualising the connections present in human–tree relations, self and identity, we draw from multispecies studies and other related strands within environmental humanities. In our analysis we also discuss the literary historical and cultural historical backgrounds of Finnish human–tree relationships. In our article we demonstrate that trees offer perspectives, imagery and tropes to address the fundamental phases and experiences of human life, and that trees are also involved in the formation of values and identities. Our manifold data shows how humans anthropomorphise trees and dendromorphise themselves when construing their own humanity and individuality.