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Exhibit 1

The Nearings

Among those who subscribe to self-sufficiency and moving back to the land, Helen and Scott Nearing are a legendary couple. Together, the Nearings exemplified the notion of the good life by living simply in a rural setting.

 
Scott (1883-1983) came from a wealthy Pennsylvania coal mining family, and Helen Knothe Nearing (1904-1995) was the daughter of an intellectual Ridgewood, New Jersey family. Together they would travel a path very far away from their rather conventional beginnings. By the time he was in his early 20s, Scott had taken to social activism, speaking out against the unsafe working conditions in the Pennsylvania coal mines. Helen spent a brief period working in a factory before meeting Scott and leaving behind the creature comforts of her former lifestyle.

The two met first in 1921 and again in 1928, and were together from that point. In 1932, they left New York City for rural southern Vermont, where they developed a self-sufficient lifestyle and philosophy. They divided their waking hours into three 4-hour blocks: “bread labor,” which was work for food, shelter, fuel, etc.; civic work, such as community service; and recreational or professional pursuits, economics research for Scott and music for Helen. Until 1952, their bread labor in Vermont was primarily maple products; after 1952, when they moved to Maine, it was blueberries. They were prolific builders of stone and concrete structures, completing 21 in all, and all by hand. Since they were cult figures of a sort, they often had the willing help of enthusiastic young volunteers who made the pilgrimage to New England. 

The two authored many books, the most famous of which is Living the Good Life (1954). This and other titles by the Nearings are credited with spurring the “back to the land” movement in the 1960s.

Stimulus: 4 of 5

Which of the following activities might the Nearings have practiced during their civic work based on the passage?

Campaigning to increase coal mining in their area

Scott Nearing protested against coal mining, so he would not campaign in favor of it.

Shopping for lavish home furnishings

The Nearings believed in a simple lifestyle, so lavish furnishings would not be a part of their home.

Fundraising for factories that make processed food

The Nearings believed in making their own food at home, so helping to make processed food would not fit into their philosophy.

Teaching a class on baking bread

MY ANSWER

The Nearings made their own food at home, so teaching others how to do this would fit into their philosophy.