Those two texts were written more than 200 years apart from each other and at first sight they seem to deal with very different topics: the first settlement in America through the Puritans and the story of an Italian scientist and his momentous experiment. However, there is a motive that both texts share: nature. The relationship between man and nature differs in "Of Plymouth Plantation" and "Rappaccini’s Daughter". Both texts are products of the literary periods they were written in: Bradford´s narrative embodies the Puritan era, as he was one of the first Pilgrims who came to the new land. From a Puritan point of view, it was God who protected the English from this wilderness, or at least those who deserved it. Additionally, God is providing food and pleasant weather for his chosen people, to support them on their way to their new home. The text also shows that the Puritans are chosen by God to settle in their promised land, and therefore are allowed to use the nature however they want, or need to. Hawthorne, as an author of Dark Romanticism deals with imagery of nature too, but with a different purpose: The story of "Rappaccini´s Daughter" shows, in a cruel way, what happens if people want to rule over nature and manipulate it with science. It is not only the beauty and spiritual meaning of nature that played a big role in Romanticism, but Hawthorne goes one step further to show the cruelty and power of nature. The story illustrates how scientific manipulation can turn nature, in this case the flowers, into something terrifying for both, nature itself and the people.
Table of Contents
1. Men and Nature. W. Bradford´s Of Plymouth Plantation and N. Hawthorne´s Rappaccini’s Daughter
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to analyze and contrast the distinct relationships between humanity and nature as portrayed in William Bradford’s "Of Plymouth Plantation" and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s "Rappaccini’s Daughter," reflecting the disparate literary and historical contexts of the Puritan era and Dark Romanticism.
- The Puritan perspective of nature as an instrument of God's providence and a resource for survival.
- The Dark Romantic portrayal of nature's manipulation through science and its fatal consequences.
- The theme of superiority: God’s superiority over nature versus the superiority of nature over human interference.
- The role of the environment in shaping human experience and moral dilemmas in both literary works.
- A comparative analysis of historical and literary values across different time periods.
Excerpt from the Book
Men and Nature. W. Bradford´s Of Plymouth Plantation and N. Hawthorne´s Rappaccini’s Daughter
Those two texts were written within more than 200 years and on the first sight they deal with very different topics: the first settlement in America through the Puritans and the story of an Italian scientist and his momentous experiment. Nevertheless, there is a motive that occurs in both texts, which is nature. The relationship between man and nature differs in "Of Plymouth Plantation" and "Rappaccini’s Daughter" and those contrasts shall be depicted in the following. Both texts are products of the literary period they were written in. Bradford´s narrative embodies the Puritan era, as he was one of the first Pilgrims who came to the new land. He and his companions had to sail over a vast sea to arrive in a wild, uncivilized country. From a Puritan point of view, it was God who protected the English from this wilderness, or at least those who deserved it. Additionally, God is providing food and pleasant weather for his chosen people, to support them on their way to their new home. The text also shows that the Puritans are chosen by God to settle in their promised land, and therefore are allowed to use the nature however they want, or need to. Hawthorne, as an author of Dark Romanticism deals with images of nature too, but with a different purpose. The story of "Rappaccini´s Daughter" shows, in a cruel way, what happens if people want to rule over nature and manipulate it with science. It is not only the beauty and spiritual meaning of nature that played a big role in Romanticism, but Hawthorne goes one step further to show the cruelty and power of nature. The story illustrates how scientific manipulation can turn nature, in this case the flowers, into something terrifying for both, nature itself and the people.
Summary of Chapters
1. Men and Nature. W. Bradford´s Of Plymouth Plantation and N. Hawthorne´s Rappaccini’s Daughter: This section introduces the comparative study, setting the framework for analyzing the contrasting views on nature found in the Puritan era and Dark Romanticism.
Keywords
Nature, Puritanism, Dark Romanticism, William Bradford, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Of Plymouth Plantation, Rappaccini’s Daughter, God’s providence, scientific manipulation, environment, superiority, settlement, mortality, literary comparison, human-nature relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic work?
The work examines the contrasting portrayals of the relationship between man and nature in William Bradford’s "Of Plymouth Plantation" and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s "Rappaccini’s Daughter."
What are the primary thematic fields covered in this analysis?
The analysis focuses on the role of nature as a divine tool in Puritan narratives versus nature as an object of dangerous scientific manipulation in Dark Romanticism.
What is the core research goal?
The goal is to depict the contrasts in how humanity interacts with and perceives nature across two vastly different literary and historical periods.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The author uses a comparative literary analysis, juxtaposing historical and literary contexts to explore thematic parallels and differences.
What content is covered in the main body of the text?
The text explores Bradford's view of nature as a resource for the Puritans, Hawthorne's critique of scientific hubris, and the overarching theme of superiority within both works.
What keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include Puritanism, Dark Romanticism, nature, scientific manipulation, divine providence, and environmental dominance.
How does William Bradford view nature in his work?
Bradford depicts nature from a Puritan perspective as a wild landscape to be conquered, where God provides resources and protection to his chosen people.
What does Hawthorne illustrate through Rappaccini’s experiment?
Hawthorne illustrates the destructive consequences of attempting to manipulate nature, ultimately demonstrating nature’s inherent superiority and autonomy.
How is Beatrice used as a metaphor in the story?
Beatrice serves as a metaphor for nature itself; she embodies the beauty and potential of nature that, when corrupted or treated with malice, leads to tragic consequences for all involved.
Why does the author caution against evaluating these texts as right or wrong?
The author argues that because both works are products of unique historical and literary eras, they should be understood in their own contexts rather than judged by modern standards.
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- Annika Mödl (Autor:in), 2013, Men and Nature and the Question of Superiority, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/276756
