EM.11: Case Study – Eleanor’s Journey Through Emotional Geographies

Approximate reading time: 6 minutes

Eleanor is a Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) 80-year-old woman who has spent the last 40 years of her life in the vast grasslands of Alberta. The memories of her childhood and early adulthood on the coast and in the mountains of British Columbia have always been a distant echo, but now, she’s about to embark on a journey back to those lands for a family reunion. As she travels, Eleanor’s experiences offer a vivid exploration of the various facets of emotional geographies.

1. Emotion and Place Interaction: As Eleanor’s train winds its way through the coastal regions of British Columbia, she gazes out of the window, her eyes catching the familiar sight of the Pacific Ocean. The vast expanse of blue evokes a flood of memories. She recalls the days she spent as a child, playing on the sandy beaches, the salty breeze blowing through her hair. The ocean, with its rhythmic waves, brings back feelings of joy, freedom, and the innocent adventures of her youth.
2. Social and Cultural Dimensions: Arriving at her hometown, Eleanor is greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of the local market. She hears vendors calling out in the dialect she grew up with, a language she hasn’t heard in decades. The aroma of freshly caught fish, the vibrant colours of Indigenous crafts, and the traditional songs playing in the background transport her back in time. These cultural markers remind Eleanor of the unique ways her community expressed joy, sorrow, and love, deeply intertwined with the land they inhabited.
3. Embodied Emotions: The family reunion is held at the base of the mountains, a place Eleanor remembers hiking with her siblings. As she walks the trails, the cool mountain air fills her lungs, and the scent of pine is unmistakable. Every step on the moss-covered ground, every rustle of the leaves, resonates in her body, evoking a sense of belonging and grounding. The physical sensations remind her of the days when her body was younger and more agile, but the emotional connection to the land remains unchanged.
4. Emotions in Everyday Spaces: The reunion venue is her ancestral home, a quaint wooden house overlooking the sea. As Eleanor steps inside, she’s immediately enveloped by the warmth of the fireplace and the familiar scent of aged wood. The living room, with its old photographs and hand-knitted blankets, holds stories of everyday joys and sorrows. The kitchen, where her mother’s recipes will come to life once again, evokes memories of laughter, shared meals, and the comforting embrace of family.
5. Emotions Evoked by Music and Other Media: During her family celebration, the air is filled with the vibrant sounds of traditional Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) music, accompanied by the rhythmic beating of drums and the soft shuffle of dancing feet. Eleanor finds herself swaying to the music, the familiar tunes resonating deep within her, stirring memories of similar gatherings from her youth. The laughter, the dance, and the communal joy weave together, creating powerful emotions that transcend time and space. The music and dance not only evoke nostalgia but also a profound sense of belonging and identity, reminding Eleanor of the unbreakable bond she shares with her Land and her people.
6. Power Dynamics: During the reunion, Eleanor engages in conversations with her younger relatives. They share stories of how the town has changed over the years, with certain spaces becoming more commercialized, while others remain untouched. Eleanor learns about the struggles of Indigenous communities in preserving their land against corporate interests. She’s reminded of the power dynamics at play, how spaces that once felt safe and welcoming to her might now feel threatening to others due to societal changes and prejudices.
7. Black and Womanist perspectives: Eleanor’s journey shows us something important — our feelings are tied to our roots and the people before us. This idea, part of a womanist viewpoint, helps us understand that Eleanor’s connection to her home and family isn’t just about her own memories. It’s also shaped by her identity and the bigger picture of society’s influences. As she revisits her old town and talks with relatives, she sees how things have changed and reflects on her community’s strength against these challenges. Eleanor listens to and reflects on the stories told by her mother, aunts, and grandmothers. Their stories and feelings add depth to Eleanor’s story, linking her personal emotions to wider social issues and showing how deeply our feelings are woven into our background and shared struggles.

Eleanor’s journey back to British Columbia is more than just a physical trip; it’s an emotional voyage through time and space. Through her experiences, we see the profound impact of places on our emotions, how culture and society shape our emotional landscapes, the role of our bodies in experiencing emotions, the significance of everyday spaces, music/media, and the ever-present power dynamics that influence our emotional experiences in spaces. Eleanor’s story is a testament to the way emotional geographies shape our lives.