This Other Eden

Content Warning: This guide includes depictions of racism, discrimination, forced eviction, eugenics, nonconsensual relationships, and rape.

The eviction of the residents of Apple Island stems from the rise of eugenic theory in the early 20th century. In the novel, Foxden’s public views of eugenics and their opinions of the men, women, and children on Apple Island are tracked through excerpts of newspaper articles and academic records. Their attention, and the eyes of the state of Maine, turn to Apple Island after the first international congress on eugenics, featuring Charles Darwin’s son, is held. Apple Island is a community that makes its own way, tends to stay on the island, and causes no public issues on the mainland. However, they are a marginalized community because of both their diverse racial makeup and their low socioeconomic status. As such, actions are taken to irrevocably change the direction of their lives without their consent, disturbing and destroying a longstanding community.

The first step in this eviction is observation of the islanders and their homes. Officials and doctors come to take notes on the islanders, with a keen interest in their biology. The subsequent objections to public health and humanity stem from the mainland’s insecurity about the diverse racial makeup of the residents, whose ancestors came from across the world.