Lesson 21 — Activity 4: About the Subject of the Novel

Image courtesy of Getty

The author of Big Burn is an environmentalist who is concerned about how the industry is affecting the environment. The conflict that arises in the novel is related to environmental concerns. There is a possibility that a garbage incinerator will be built near the main character's community. To have a better understanding of the novel, you must first understand some things about the methods of disposing garbage.

Why is garbage a topic for a novel on a high school reading list? As you read, you become more aware of how fragile your environment is and you begin to think about the way your actions affect the world around you. As an individual, you create garbage and probably don't think much about what happens to it after it leaves your hand. However, the main character in this novel learns about the impact of burning garbage in his community.

You know that there are different ways of dealing with garbage. In Alberta, the most common method you see is the use of landfill sites. Landfills are what you might sometimes refer to as "dumps," but they are actually designed to protect the surrounding environment. A landfill site usually has some sort of material lining it to prevent chemicals or other waste from going into the surrounding soil. When garbage is collected within the communities and taken to the landfill sites, it is then separated into particular areas within the landfill. At the end of each day, the areas within the landfill are covered in a layer of soil. When the entire area is filled, the area is first covered with a lining, then covered with soil and sand, and eventually planted over with grass. The garbage buried in a landfill will take years to decompose.

Image courtesy of Getty

Another form of waste disposal is incineration, or burning garbage at high temperatures. Burning garbage is used as a means of waste disposal in areas where there is not much land available for landfill locations. Incineration is a common way to dispose of some hazardous wastes that might damage the soil or air if stored in landfill sites.

The main problem with incineration is that it causes pollution. When garbage is burned, many chemicals are released into the air and carried by the wind from the incinerator to the surrounding land. The high temperatures needed to break down some waste can form hazardous chemicals in the exhaust or smoke that comes from the incinerator.

As you read the novel, think about what you know about different methods of waste management. Then consider whether the conflict in the story is one that you should be concerned about as you think about your future and your responsibility to your environment.

Click on the Play button below to watch a video about how burning garbage is dangerous to people and the environment.