Dieses Essay untersucht die Beziehung zwischen Mensch und Natur im der amerikanischen Literatur des 19. Jahrhunderts. Der Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf den Werken von Nathaniel Hawthorne und Walt Whitman.
This essay explores the relationship between man and nature in 19th century American literature. It mainly focuses on stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Walt Whitman.
Table of Contents
1. Nature and its relationship to the individual in 19th century American Literature
Objectives and Themes
This essay explores the shifting depiction of nature and its relationship to society and the individual within 19th-century American literature, focusing on the evolution from Gothic literature to Transcendentalist perspectives. By analyzing specific works, the paper aims to demonstrate how nature transitioned from a dark, moralistic metaphor in Puritan-influenced Gothic fiction to a unifying, positive force in Whitman’s poetry.
- Contrast between Gothic and Transcendentalist representations of nature.
- Examination of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s use of the wilderness as a moral stage.
- Analysis of the influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Transcendentalist ideas.
- The role of Walt Whitman in redefining the connection between man and nature.
- The symbolic transition of nature from a place of "evil" to a "greater whole."
Excerpt from the Book
Nature and its relationship to the individual in 19th century American Literature
This essay discusses the depiction of nature and the development of its relationship to society and the individual in 19th century American Literature. By examining the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Walt Whitman, with a focus on Young Goodman Brown and Song of Myself, I aim to illustrate a transition that took place during this period. This transition is clearly visible in the contrast between Gothic romances and Transcendentalist poetry. Although Whitman himself was not a pure Transcendentalist, his depiction of nature in Song of Myself was obviously influenced by Transcendentalist ideas and shows various traces of thoughts expressed in R.W. Emerson’s essay Nature.
Thus, the relationship between nature and the individual is portrayed as something enjoyable, highlighted by benevolence. Hawthorne’s stories, on the other hand, which are set around Puritan settlements, depict a rather rough relationship between society and the natural world. They draw a sharp contrast between civilisation and wilderness, which is commonly represented by dreary woods and dark forests. Hence, Gothic authors depict nature as something opposed to humanity while the Transcendentalists consider humans part of it.
A further notable difference between Transcendentalism and Gothic is that the latter is not a truly American genre. Although American writers such as Hawthorne and Poe brought in new ideas and a different style (especially regarding the use of ambiguity), they still were writing in the tradition of their European counterparts. In European Gothic, which was to a great extent rooted in old myths and folk tales, a story would typically be set around an old castle or graveyard, haunted by the ghosts of the Dark Ages. Yet, the young American nation had a total lack of any similar authentic places. For this reason, the setting of American gothic stories such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Young Goodman Brown moved to the natural world. Instead of haunted castles we get dark forests which serve a similar function.
Summary of Chapters
1. Nature and its relationship to the individual in 19th century American Literature: This section provides an analytical overview of the evolving representation of nature in American literature, contrasting the bleak Gothic view with the expansive, optimistic vision of Transcendentalism.
Keywords
Nature, 19th Century American Literature, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Walt Whitman, Transcendentalism, Gothic Romance, Puritanism, Song of Myself, Young Goodman Brown, The Scarlet Letter, Wilderness, Individualism, National Identity, Symbolism, Human Sinfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The essay investigates the changing role of nature in 19th-century American literature, specifically examining how it evolves from a symbol of evil or moral struggle to a component of human identity and the greater whole.
Which authors are central to the analysis?
The primary authors analyzed are Nathaniel Hawthorne, who represents the Gothic tradition, and Walt Whitman, who reflects Transcendentalist influences.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The research seeks to illustrate a visible transition in American literature, marking the shift from the dark metaphors of Puritan-based Gothic stories to the positive, democratic, and unifying depiction of nature in Whitman's poetry.
What scientific or critical approach is used?
The author uses a comparative literary analysis approach, examining key texts like "Young Goodman Brown" and "Song of Myself" to interpret changing societal attitudes toward the natural world.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body contrasts Hawthorne's depictions of nature as a "frightening entity" in his Gothic tales with Whitman's portrayal of nature as a vibrant, fresh, and beautiful connection between all people and the universe.
Which keywords best describe the study?
Important terms include Transcendentalism, Gothic literature, American identity, Puritanism, nature, symbolism, and the specific literary works of Hawthorne and Whitman.
How does Hawthorne use nature in his stories?
Hawthorne uses the wilderness as a dark metaphor for Puritan moral hypocrisy, presenting the forest as a place for forbidden activities and a reflection of the "dark part of society's psyche."
What does the "handkerchief of the Lord" symbolize in Whitman's poetry?
This phrase, used in "Song of Myself," represents nature as a divine gift or a book of God, suggesting that studying nature is a way to understand the divine connection inherent in all living things.
Does the author consider nature an ongoing process?
Yes, for both Whitman and the Transcendentalists, nature is viewed as an ongoing process of everlasting change, where individual existence is part of a greater, continuous cycle.
What is the significance of the "I" and "you" in "Song of Myself"?
The author argues that starting with "I" and ending with "you" suggests that the 52 sections of the poem symbolize a transition from individual diversity toward a unified American national identity.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mag.phil. Johannes Zeller (Autor:in), 2012, Nature and its relationship to the individual in 19th century American Literature, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/276373
