Myth and Multiple Readings in Environmental Rhetoric: The Case ofAn Inconvenient Truth

Contesting interpretations of An Inconvenient Truth that treat it as political jeremiad, autobiography, or science documentary, we contextualize the film within Joseph Campbell's monomyth and argue that its rhetorical efficacy arises in part because Al Gore's personal transformation animates the documentary footage with jeremiad advocacy. In turn, this fusion of genres enhances Gore's credibility to assess the dangers of global warming and to advise viewers how to respond to them effectively. Our reading has implications for understanding environmental discourse and for critical practice.