The focus of this term paper will be on Walt Whitman`s “Song of Myself” and a selection of Emily Dickinson`s poems that suit the research topic.
The first part of this paper will analyze Whitman`s “Song of Myself” regarding Nature and Religion. His view on things in general was unique and forward for his era and so was his language and choice of words. This paper is going to illustrate Whitman`s beliefs and his relationship with both topics on a deeper level.
The second part of this paper will concentrate on a selection of Emily Dickinson’s poems that relate to Nature and Religion. Her style of writing is not as explicit as Whitman`s and therefore needs to be broken down more. This paper will highlight her exceptional view on nature and religion which was different from the contemporary one.
The third part will then continue establishing which attitude Dickinson and Whitman represent more specifically in their poetry by pointing out similarities and differences. Therefore, this part will essentially summarize the results from the previous chapters and strengthen them.
The last part consists of a conclusion, which will be a recap of the examined topic that is nature and religion in Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Furthermore, it will provide an outlook on further research opportunities and things that could not be addressed in this paper yet.
Overall, this paper will argue that Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman are both influenced by the American Romanticism and not only mirror that in their work, but also exceed it. It will also establish what their individual perception of nature and religion is.
Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Walt Whitman`s “Song of Myself”
2.1 Nature in Walt Whitman`s “Song of Myself”
2.2 Religion in Walt Whitman`s “Song of myself”
3. Emily Dickinson`s poems
3.1 Nature in Emily Dickinson`s poems
3.2 Religion in Emily Dickinson`s poems
4. Comparison of Walt Whitman`s and Emily Dickinson`s poems
4.1 Nature
4.2 Religion
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to investigate the influence of American Romanticism on the literary works of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, specifically focusing on their divergent perceptions of nature and religion. The research analyzes how both poets mirror and transcend the cultural and existential themes of their era, such as individuality, the relationship between humanity and the cosmos, and the struggle between tradition and personal belief.
- Analysis of nature and religion in Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself"
- Examination of nature and religion in selected poems by Emily Dickinson
- Comparative analysis of the authors' attitudes toward nature
- Comparative analysis of the authors' religious perspectives
- Exploration of the impact of American Romanticism on poetic identity
Excerpt from the book
2.1 Nature in Walt Whitman`s “Song of Myself”
Walt Whitman creates an amazingly truthful picture of nature in his poems, since “he aims to let nature speak without check, with original energy” (Burroughs 76). In section three the speaker points out that “You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me, / You shall listen to all sides and filter them yourself” (26), meaning that one should be unbiased towards nature, so that it can be perceived as what it truly is and contains. That truthful perception of nature in Whitman`s “Song of Myself” is reached through a relationship and a form of communication between the human being and nature itself. Once the human being is willing to partake in said relationship by observing their surroundings, nature communicates with their senses. Whitman`s speaker experiences this for example in section 26 and 28 through the senses of touch and hearing (51; 53). Along with that goes the fact that the speaker loves spending time outside and is “enarmoured of growing outdoors” (36). Therefore, they use every opportunity of being outside and interacting with nature.
Walt Whitman believes that everything is connected. For this reason and the fact that “Song of Myself” is a celebration of nature`s beauty and importance, the relationship between nature and the speaker appears to be very intimate and close. There are many sections that deal with several naturalistic themes like animals (27; 36), the seasons (45), the sea (50; 46) or the earth (45) as a whole. The language that is used in these sections is very positive and appreciative. Even the smallest parts of nature are of major importance to the speaker and they even exceed the contemporary questions of metaphysics: “a morning glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books” (50). The speaker proceeds to celebrate everything about the earth in section 21 and they even call themselves the earth`s “lover” (45) and talk about “passionate love” (45) between the two, which was very scandalous at the time, but underlines their pure love for nature and their intimate relationship.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the connection between American Romanticism and the focus on nature and religion in the works of Whitman and Dickinson.
2. Walt Whitman`s “Song of Myself”: Analyzes Whitman’s unique, nature-centered worldview and his construction of a new, individualistic form of religion.
2.1 Nature in Walt Whitman`s “Song of Myself”: Explores the intimate, communicative relationship between the speaker and the natural world.
2.2 Religion in Walt Whitman`s “Song of myself”: Discusses Whitman's rejection of traditional theology in favor of a miraculous perception of the present moment.
3. Emily Dickinson`s poems: Examines Dickinson’s distinct interpretation of nature and her internal struggle regarding religious belief.
3.1 Nature in Emily Dickinson`s poems: Analyzes the separation between the human and natural worlds, characterizing nature as indifferent or threatening.
3.2 Religion in Emily Dickinson`s poems: Details the speaker's "frustrated search for certitude" and the tension between doubt and traditional belief.
4. Comparison of Walt Whitman`s and Emily Dickinson`s poems: Directly contrasts the poetic styles and thematic approaches of both authors.
4.1 Nature: Contrasts Whitman's intimacy with nature against Dickinson's perspective of nature as an uncontrollable, separate entity.
4.2 Religion: Contrasts Whitman's affirmative, unitary religious conviction with Dickinson's skeptical, inquiry-driven spirituality.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes how both authors both encompass and exceed the paradigms of American Romanticism.
Keywords
American Romanticism, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Song of Myself, Nature, Religion, Spirituality, Individualism, Theology, Existence, Poetry, Transcendence, Mortality, Imagery, Literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this literary study?
The study examines how American Romanticism influenced the works of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, specifically analyzing their distinct perceptions of nature and religion.
What are the core themes explored in this paper?
The themes are the relationship between human beings and the natural world, personal religious beliefs, individual identity, and existential questions concerning mortality and the afterlife.
What research methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, closely reading key poems and comparing them against critical interpretations and the historical context of 19th-century American Romanticism.
How does Walt Whitman characterize nature?
Whitman views nature as an intimate, interconnected, and divine reality that communicates directly with all living beings.
How does Emily Dickinson’s view differ from Whitman’s regarding nature?
Unlike Whitman, Dickinson perceives nature as a separate, often indifferent or threatening entity that humanity can observe but never truly join or master.
What serves as the basis for the religious discussion in the paper?
The discussion focuses on the transition from traditional, institution-based Christian orthodoxy to individualistic, personal spiritualities in the face of existential uncertainty.
How does Whitman's poetry handle the concept of death?
Whitman portrays death positively as a natural part of the life cycle, viewing it as a friend rather than a source of fear.
Why is Dickinson’s religious perspective described as a "frustrated search for certitude"?
Her poetry reflects a constant, unresolved tension between her desire for spiritual belief and her skepticism toward traditional doctrines and the limits of human understanding.
- Citation du texte
- Julia Niehaus (Auteur), 2018, Nature and Religion in Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1389453
