Literary Analysis: Asters and Goldenrod

Asters and Goldenrod: An Indigenous Lens and Evolving Worldview\n\n## The Symbolism of Asters and Goldenrod\n* Literal Description: Asters and Goldenrod are specific types of flowers that grow together, representing a key component of how the author sees the world.\n * Colors: Goldenrod is vividly described as a "fountain could jet bouquets of chrome yellow in dazzling arches… that would be Canada Goldenrod." Its counterpart, New England Asters, are characterized by a "full-on royal purple," specifically not "the weak sauce of lavender or sky blue."\n * Growth Pattern: They stand "side by side" where the soil is damp enough, emphasizing their close relationship and visually striking contrast.\n* Indigenous Worldview Metaphor: The essay uses the phrase "asters and goldenrod" to relate how the author perceives the world through an indigenous lens and the profound impact this perspective has had on her life.\n* Early Life & Prominence: The author imagines these colors were the very first she saw as a baby, stating, "I’m guessing all eyes were on me, a little round baby all swaddled in bunting, but mine were on Goldenrod and Asters." This highlights their fundamental and enduring prominence in her perception from her earliest memories.\n\n## Expansion of Knowledge and Vision\n* Academic Progression: The author's journey through higher education, including obtaining a Master’s degree, a PhD, and securing a faculty position, signifies her intellectual growth.\n* Beyond the Initial View: She expresses gratitude for the knowledge shared and the privilege of wielding "the powerful tools of science." This academic pursuit led her "to other plant communities, far from the asters and goldenrod," indicating an expansion of her understanding and worldview beyond her initial, foundational indigenous perspective, thereby retaining more comprehensive knowledge.\n\n## The Humbling Encounter with Profound Indigenous Knowledge\n* Navajo Woman's Extensive Knowledge: The author recounts an experience where she struggled to comprehend the scientific knowledge shared by a Navajo woman. She describes this knowledge as "so much deeper and wilder and engaged all the human ways of understanding," suggesting a holistic and profound understanding distinct from her academic training.\n* Reverting to the Familiar: Faced with concepts she couldn't grasp, the author instinctively fell back on her comfortable, familiar framework, noting that the Navajo woman "could have explained asters and goldenrod." This illustrates a common human tendency to resort to known and comfortable concepts when confronted with confusion or complex, unfamiliar information.\n* The Humbling Experience: Her inability to fully understand, despite her advanced academic background, left her feeling "humbled." This signifies the limitations of a singular scientific framework in comprehending diverse and deep indigenous knowledge systems, prompting a need to discover "other ways to understand or get through something."

\n## Asters and Goldenrod as a Beacon: The Bee Metaphor\n* Similar Perception: Interestingly, goldenrod and asters appear similarly attractive to both bee eyes and human eyes.\n* Attraction and Purpose: Their "striking contrast when they grow together makes them the most attractive target in the whole meadow, a beacon for bees." This visual prominence ensures that both types of flowers "receive more pollinator visits.", due to their strong presence and appeal to bees.\n* Metaphorical Connection to Human Vision: The author extends this biological observation metaphorically to human experience. Just as bees are instinctively drawn to these flowers as a critical resource (pollen), the author explains that she, as a human, utilizes this same concept of attraction as a guiding principle. She is attracted to and follows her "vision in life," with the asters and goldenrod serving as a symbolic beacon or focal point that directs her purpose and understanding in the world.