This Bachelor thesis addressed the themes of nature and transcendence in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essays and Mary Oliver’s poems in a comparative manner.

Transcendentalism is best known as a literary genre in the American literature. It was a whole new system, which was built upon various literal, religious, and philosophical studies, such as Idealism. Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was born in 1803, is the first person to define Transcendentalism. With his essay ‘The Transcendentalist’ Emerson (1841) presented transcendentalism as a philosophical movement, which, then in years, developed into a spiritual, as well as a religious movement that evoked a social reform in society. The transcendentalists adopted a metaphysical view on the phenomena of nature, wherefore we find a collection of works written on the theme of ‘nature’ at that time.

Mary Oliver, on the contrary, who was born on September 1935, is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for American Primitive (1984). She wrote over twenty books, including her poems, essays and two books about poetry. Oliver writes a lot about nature and often uses religious or spiritual vocabulary in her works, such as God, soul, prayer, etc. The scholars mostly focus on the notions of ecoethics, feminism and mindfulness in her poetry. Still, it is hard to put Oliver’s lyric into a certain framework.

What is Emerson’s transcendental philosophy concerned with? What do Mary Oliver’s poems depict about the soul and God? Does it have any relevance with the Emersonian idea of transcendence? How is nature described in Emerson’s essays? Does the phenomenon of nature in Mary Oliver’s poems have any similarities with Emerson’s idea of nature? What do Spirit, Soul and God refer to in Emerson’s works? What is the role of man in existence in Emerson’s essay as opposed to Mary Oliver’s speakers? To sum up, my goal with this thesis is to observe the notions of nature and transcendence in both authors’ selected works, in order to find out, whether there are any correlations or differences between their ideas. The questions mentioned above will be answered in detail in the following chapters.

Extracto

Introduction
Emerson's Transcendental Philosophy
- The Idea of Transcendence in Emerson's Philosophy
- Nature in Emerson's Transcendental Philosophy
  - Emerson's Definition of Nature
  - Nature as a 'Process Universe'
- Man's Place in Relation to Nature and God
Mary Oliver's Poetry
- Nature in Mary Oliver's Poetry
- Transcendence in Mary Oliver's Poetry
Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to compare the notions of nature and transcendence in the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson and the poetry of Mary Oliver. It investigates whether similarities or differences exist in their perspectives on these concepts. The scope is limited to selected essays by Emerson and poems by Oliver to manage the research within the confines of a bachelor's thesis.

Emerson's Transcendental Philosophy and its understanding of transcendence.
Emerson's conception of nature and its role in his philosophy.
The portrayal of nature and transcendence in Mary Oliver's poetry.
A comparative analysis of the similarities and differences between Emerson's and Oliver's perspectives.
The relationship between man, nature, and the divine in both authors' works.

Chapter Summaries

Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the comparative analysis of Emerson and Oliver's works. It establishes the research question concerning the similarities and differences in their perspectives on nature and transcendence. The chapter explains the limitations of the scope, focusing on selected essays by Emerson ('Oversoul', 'Nature', 'The Methods of Nature', and 'Self-Reliance') and poems from three of Oliver's books ('Swan', 'Why I Wake Early', and 'Wild Geese'). The introduction also provides background information on Transcendentalism and its historical context, highlighting Emerson's role in defining the movement, and briefly introduces Mary Oliver and the diverse interpretations of her poetry. Finally, the introduction outlines the structure of the thesis, providing a roadmap for the subsequent chapters.

Emerson's Transcendental Philosophy: This chapter delves into the core tenets of Emerson's transcendental philosophy, establishing a foundational understanding for the subsequent comparative analysis. It explores Emerson's concept of transcendence, explaining how it relates to the "deep silent ground of the totality of existence," a divine source from which all things emanate. The chapter examines Emerson's definition of nature, highlighting its multifaceted connotations within his works, and emphasizes the interconnectedness of nature, man, and the divine. Emerson’s understanding of God is clarified as being distinct from traditional religious conceptions, instead emphasizing a pervasive divine presence within all existence, rather than a separate controlling entity. The chapter concludes by examining man's place within this framework, highlighting the duality of the physical body within the "process universe" and the transcendent soul.

Mary Oliver's Poetry: This chapter analyzes selected poems by Mary Oliver, categorized thematically into "nature" and "transcendence." It begins with an introduction to Oliver's unique poetic style, setting the context for the analysis. The chapter then explores how Oliver uses natural imagery to convey her perspective on nature, examining the potential meanings beyond simple eco-ethics. Furthermore, it investigates how her work depicts transcendence, comparing her expressions of the spiritual or divine with Emerson's ideas. This section aims to highlight both the similarities and differences between the two authors' perspectives on nature and transcendence. A critical examination of Oliver's use of religious or spiritual vocabulary, such as God, soul, and prayer, within her natural imagery is a key element of this chapter.

Keywords

Transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mary Oliver, Nature, Transcendence, American Literature, Spiritualism, Poetry, Essays, Comparative Analysis, God, Soul, Process Universe.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Emerson and Oliver on Nature and Transcendence

What is the main topic of this academic paper?

This paper compares the concepts of nature and transcendence as presented in the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson and the poetry of Mary Oliver. It aims to identify similarities and differences in their perspectives on these key themes.

Which works by Emerson and Oliver are analyzed?

The analysis focuses on selected essays by Emerson ("Oversoul," "Nature," "The Methods of Nature," and "Self-Reliance") and poems from three of Mary Oliver's books ("Swan," "Why I Wake Early," and "Wild Geese").

What are the key objectives of the research?

The paper aims to explore Emerson's transcendental philosophy and its understanding of transcendence, examine Emerson's conception of nature, analyze the portrayal of nature and transcendence in Mary Oliver's poetry, conduct a comparative analysis of their perspectives, and investigate the relationship between man, nature, and the divine in both authors' works.

What is Emerson's understanding of transcendence and nature?

Emerson's transcendence relates to a "deep silent ground of the totality of existence," a divine source. His conception of nature is multifaceted, emphasizing the interconnectedness of nature, man, and the divine. God, for Emerson, is a pervasive presence within all existence, not a separate entity.

How does Mary Oliver portray nature and transcendence in her poetry?

Oliver uses natural imagery to convey her perspective on nature, exploring meanings beyond simple eco-ethics. Her work depicts transcendence through expressions of the spiritual or divine, which are compared and contrasted with Emerson's ideas. The analysis examines her use of religious or spiritual vocabulary (God, soul, prayer) within her natural imagery.

What is the structure of the academic paper?

The paper includes an introduction establishing the research question and scope, a chapter on Emerson's transcendental philosophy, a chapter analyzing Mary Oliver's poetry, and a concluding chapter. The introduction also provides background information on Transcendentalism and Mary Oliver.

What are the key themes explored in the paper?

Key themes include Transcendentalism, Emerson's philosophy, Oliver's poetry, nature, transcendence, the relationship between man, nature, and the divine, and a comparative analysis of the two authors' perspectives.

What are the limitations of the research?

The scope of the research is limited to selected essays by Emerson and poems by Oliver, reflecting the constraints of a bachelor's thesis.

What keywords best describe this academic paper?