Nature and its relationship to the individual in 19th century American Literature

Exploring the theme Man and Nature in "Young Goodman Brown", "Song of Myself", "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "The Scarlet Letter"

Essay , 2012 , 7 Seiten , Note: 1

Anglistik - Literatur

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.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Nature and its relationship to the individual in 19th century American Literature
• Gothic Romances
• Puritan Depiction
• The Scarlet Letter
• Transcendentalism
• Walt Whitman
• Song of Myself

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay explores the portrayal of nature and the evolution of its relationship with society and the individual in 19th century American Literature. Through an analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Walt Whitman's works, specifically "Young Goodman Brown" and "Song of Myself," the essay aims to illustrate a transition in this relationship during this era.

• The contrast between Gothic romances and Transcendentalist poetry in their depictions of nature.
• The Puritan view of nature as an evil force that must be cultivated and controlled.
• The Transcendentalist perspective of nature as a source of beauty, inspiration, and connection to the divine.
• The role of nature as a symbol of freedom and escape from societal constraints.
• The search for a national identity in American literature.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The essay begins by examining the Puritan perspective on nature as presented in Hawthorne's works, particularly "Young Goodman Brown." The Puritan worldview saw wild nature as inherently evil, and this view is reflected in the dark and forbidding forests that feature prominently in Hawthorne's stories. These forests are seen as places of sin and temptation, where individuals are often drawn into darkness and corruption. The essay then transitions to a discussion of Transcendentalism, focusing on Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself." Transcendentalism embraced a more optimistic view of nature, seeing it as a source of inspiration and connection to the divine. Whitman's poetry celebrates nature's beauty and its power to connect individuals to something greater than themselves. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, arguing that all beings are part of a larger whole.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key themes and concepts explored in this essay include 19th century American Literature, Gothic Romances, Transcendentalism, Nature, Puritanism, Society, Individual, Freedom, Identity, and National Identity. These themes are explored through the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Walt Whitman, focusing on the contrasting portrayals of nature in their writings.

• Hochschule: University of Aberdeen (English department)
• Veranstaltung: AMERICAN LITERATURE TO 1900
• Note: 1
• Autor: Mag.phil. Johannes Zeller (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2012
• Seiten: 7
• Katalognummer: V276373
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656698326
• ISBN (Buch): 9783656700203
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: Emerson, Hawthorne, Whitman, Young, gothic, Puritan, Transcendentalism