Going Back to Bisbee by Richard Shelton
Mary Melcher, PhD
Melcher History Services
(February 2006)
In Going Back to Bisbee by Richard Shelton, the author weaves his own experiences with wide-ranging observations about the history, land, people, flora and fauna of southern Arizona. His story unfolds as he drives from Tucson to Bisbee while a monsoon storm blows through, building in tension and excitement during his trip. Through this nonfiction book that won the Western States Creative Nonfiction Book Award, Shelton describes moving to Bisbee in 1958, with his wife and young child, to accept a teaching job. At the same time, he skillfully recounts the history of the town and the area of southern Arizona detailing shifts in relations between Mexico and Arizona, conflicts between the Apaches and other tribes and groups, the class and racial divisions in Bisbee, and environmental changes that will impact the area forever.
Themes Back
- Impact of the past on the present
- Intercultural relations in Arizona history
- Human’s relationship with and impact on land, flora and fauna
- The effect of economic development on the environment
- Interdependency and relations between southern Arizona and Mexico
Discussion Questions Back
1. “The past is not dead, it is not even past,” wrote William Faulkner.
Shelton uses this quote by Faulkner while describing southern Arizona’s history. Why does Shelton believe this concept is significant in relation to the landscape and people of southern Arizona? What remnants of the past does he see as he travels?
2. Shelton writes about the importance of naming, stating that naming “gives a thing a second creation.” Are names that important? How do changes in names illustrate shifts in history?
3. Shelton describes in great detail his observations of and relationships with some wild animals including coyotes, a snake and squirrels. He is quite friendly with the snake but squirrels become his despised enemies. How do Shelton’s relationships with animals reflect his sense of place?
4. How does Shelton describe connections between southern Arizona and Mexico? In what ways are the people, land, and economies connected? What was the impact of the Gadsden Purchase on people in the two countries?
5. Shelton states that Arizonans have not gotten to know or love rivers very much. Do you agree with this statement? Why does he consider it miraculous that the San Pedro River still flows?
6. Shelton describes the Apaches as treacherous throughout the book. Does he ever describe events from the Apache point of view? What do you think of his viewpoint in relation to this tribe?
7. Shelton explores ghost towns and ruins from mining and stamp mills left by nineteenth century Arizonans. His stories illustrate the changing marks that people left on the land, and lead one to wonder how will future generations view us? What kinds of enduring marks are we leaving on the land?
8. Throughout the book, Shelton discusses the plant life of southern Arizona, including the non-native ailanthus tree which is native to China and has spread throughout Bisbee. The ailanthus now competes with species native to the area. What is the impact of non-native species on a habitat?
9. In Chapter 9, Shelton describes several of his students in Bisbee Junior High School. How did his students’ lives illustrate the class and ethnic breakdown of Bisbee during the 1950s?
10. How does Shelton relate to the teacher, Molly Bendixen? How would you describe her character?
11. Many people respond to difficult events in Bisbee by sighing, “That’s Bisbee.”
Where did this attitude come from?
12. How does Ida Power lead a revival of Bisbee?
13. Why does Shelton have mixed feelings about Phelps Dodge Company coming back to Bisbee to start strip mining?
14. What motivates Shelton to go back to Bisbee? What does he discover about his past and present life as he makes this journey?
15. How does Shelton express his sense of place in relation to southern Arizona? How has he developed this strong sense of place?
16. What is your overall assessment of this book?