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**Nature Through Time**

**"Today's attitudes about nature and how we view nature's purpose are based on or developed from historical views and attitudes expressed in american literature."** **-Todd McGuire**

//**Introduction**//

Although nature has existed as a constant since the beginning, our perspective on this constant has fluctuated greatly. The changes in our perspectives depend upon a variety of different influences of which can be interpreted by historical views and attitudes expressed in American Literature. Depicted by the interviews I conducted the attitude on nature expressed by many is surprisingly ignorant of nature in its current endangered state. This attitude in comparison to an additional perspective varies significantly and can be expressed by literature at the time. For example when considering the creation stories nature is regarded as life, without it life wouldn't able to be survive and furthermore exist. The following entries describe the attitudes directed towards nature and their relation to their respective time periods.  **My perspective on Nature**

//**Nature in our Society**//

Nature in today's society is regarded with much less importance than it deserves. No longer is nature appreciated for its beauty, nature is now exploited for its resources. Examples of this are evident in rain forests where acres upon acres are being cut down for the production of paper. Nature should be enjoyed and used in a reasonable manor, unfortunately today's methods do not conform to this standard. If the rate at which we exploit nature continues eventually there will be no more nature left to exploit furthermore to enjoy. That being said there is also a significant amount of work being done to preserve rather than exploit. Unfortunately though this go green attitude is not wide spread, and despite efforts of preservation exploitation remains the dominating force.

//**Nature in my Life**//

Growing up on 8 acres of land in the middle of the woods, nature has always been a significant part of my life. I've always enjoyed the solitude of nature and the lack of human interaction within the confines of nature. Spending time alone in nature, which i did often, is an amazing experience. You feel as if you're one with your surroundings, and that your existence in nature is sanctioned, not intruding. During these times I separated myself from my daily life and allowed myself to reflect upon virtually anything that came to mind. I believe that man and nature must coexist just as men and women do. Without the other's counterpart one cannot exist.


 * //Using the two initial texts, explain how our society views and should view/use/treat nature and wilderness. Citing examples from the two texts create a piece that states where we are today with our understanding of nature and it’s use and influence on our lives. Take from the many things we discussed to illuminate your point.//**

Society views nature as a resource that should be utilized and simultaneously an extension of ourselves. This point, evident in Dominy's argument, rivers exist to be dammed. They exist to produce power, to utilize the land for the enjoyment of others. Although not as popular, the flip side of this argument is prominent in Brower's perspective. Brower is a radical preservationist with a goal to stop as much interference with nature as possible. This radical perspective provides the given restrictions to society's view on nature. The latter part of society's view on nature is mentioned in the The Idea of a Garden. The destruction of Cathedral Pines posed a problem. Interfere and restore or allow nature to takes its course and achieve it's previous state or natural equilibrium? Through research it was discovered that for nature to achieve natural equilibrium without interference from mankind is very unlikely. This leads to the fact that we as humans unknowingly influence nature and its progress greatly. To not interfere would produce results that are impossible to predict and thus to interfere is the only way to restore nature in its original or previous state.

**The Beginning: Where Nature Began**


 * //From the three creation stories' point of view, what is the position of nature in our life?//**

In the three creation stories: Genesis, The Iroquois Creation Story, and the Story of Creation of the Pimas, Nature plays the role of providing for the benefit and well being of mankind. Although today nature is also utilized as a resource, the uses of nature during the times of creation were solely for the preservation of the human race, rather than unreasonable exploitation. Then, it acted as a necessity, the first humans and animals would not have been able to survive without it. Although differences are evident throughout the three creation stories, such as the universal correctness and incorrectness of Genesis and the Pimas Story of Creation respectfully, all of nature created at the time was for the benefit of the living beings of the earth. Proving this point it is stated in Genesis 1:29 "Then God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.' And it was so." Also evident in The Story of Creation of the Pimas, stated on pg. 22, "And so the Doctor of the Earth himself created the mountains and everything that has sees and is good to eat. For if he had created human beings firths they would have had nothing to live on." Furthermore in The Iroquois Creation Story, stated on pg. 20, "... after this the Island became fruitful and vegetation afforded the animals subsistence." These quotes thus proving the role of nature as a provider for living kind.

Nature through time: the perspective of nature through the eyes of various authors //** Cotton Mather **// Similar to the creation stories Cotton Mather addresses the idea of nature through religion. Evident in __From The Wonders of the Invisible World__ Mather touches upon nature as God's creation and gift to the New Englanders. However this gift of nature is given on the Devil's territories and this the conflict of religion vs. nature arises. These examples of nature are evident on pg. 144 "I believe that never were more satanical devices used for the unsettling of any people under the sun..." This quote refers to the people of New England furthermore of God and Nature experiencing difficulties with Satan. The quote continues by saying, "...than what have been employed by the extirpation of the vine which God has here planted, casting out the heathen, and preparing a room before it, and causing it to take deep root, and fill the land..." This continuation of this quote exposes the relationship between God and Nature, as mentioned earlier, and proves God's intent in giving the gift of nature to man.

//**Jefferson's Notes on Virginia**//



Jefferson, a man of colonial america, viewed nature as a resource to aid the development of the United States. Evident in his notes on rivers, Jefferson described the rivers in terms of there navigability, rather than their natural beauty or the abundance of wildlife. This perspective proves Jefferson's intentions in using nature as a resource. Further proving the point of his intent Jefferson states the following about the James River, "Vessels of 250 tons may go to Warwick; those of 125 go to Rocket's, a mile below Richmond; from thence is about 7 feet water to Richmond; and about the center of the town, four feet and a half, where the navigation is interrupted by falls, which in a course of six miles, descend about 80 feet perpendicular..." His intention clearly evident by the various measurements relating to navigability.

//**Benjamin Franklin**//

In __Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America__ Franklin addresses the bias perspectives of the white man on Native American Indian culture and civilization. Even before addressing the content of the article, the bias perspective is already evident in the title of the work, where the unknown people of the Indian culture are referred to as savages. Although this perspective is not necessarily adapted by Franklin, he does reveal the source of these one one sided opinions, which are the great differences between the two cultures. The Indian culture is one of the land, utilizing nature as an essential resource in their day to day survival, while Early America has an established economy and well developed civilization. Franklin continues by touching upon the relation between the two cultures, and furthermore the rejection of one another. __Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America__ truly ** reveals the effects society has on nature. With the development of society comes the rejection of nature. **

//**Crevecoeur**//

In __Letters from an American Farmer,__ Crevecoeur, a foreigner, addresses the benefits of American agriculture. Having spent 10 years in American wilderness, Crevecoeur claims there is a strong relationship between man and nature. This relationship pertains to the fact that man must utilize nature as a resource and live off the land, however with given limitations. Man must utilize nature in moderation allowing nature to sustain itself and furthermore avoid destruction. Further exposing Crevecoeur's idea of man's relationship with nature consider the following simile, “Men are like plants; the goodness and flavor of the fruit proceeds from the peculiar soil and exposition in which they grow.” Crevecoer also touches upon the land of America and its variety of different features such as navigable rivers and roads.

//**Washington Irving and Scooby Doo!**//

Rip Van Winkle, a cheerful citizen loved by all, uses nature as an escape from the annoyances of his life such as his wife, Dame Van Winkle. Rip Van Winkle, as previously mentioned, was a loved man among the town people unfortunately in addition to his charismatic traits Van Winkle had a grave inability to do any work that would lead to profit. This inability caused his wife, Dame Van Winkle, to constantly pester him, often publicly criticizing him. Despite his wife's diligence the people of town, who love him, side with him against wife. To escape this insanity Rip travels to the wilderness utilizing its peace and tranquility as refuge from the constant pestering of his wife.

Scooby Doo and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow utilizes nature to portray emotions and feeling towards the audience. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a scary story about a supposed headless horsemen who appears once a year in search of a new head. In addition to the plot of the story the scenery or nature adds to this spooky mood. An example of this is evident in the first scene of the show as illustrated below. The fog and bare trees portray feelings of eeriness and mystery.



//**Emerson**//

In Ch.1 of Nature Emerson addresses the relationship betw een nature and man through perspective. Stated in the first paragraph Emerson prese nts the idea of separating oneself from society to truly experience nature. With this in mind on pg. 494 Emerson writes "The sun illuminates the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child. The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood." This quote along with the content of the first paragraph illuminates the perspective of mans true relationship with nature. To observe nature one must separate them self from society, as stated previously, this is why the child is able to //see// nature for the child is less attached to society. One must retain the perspective of the child and not accept the status quo of society to truly embrace nature and its beauty.

//**Nature's Role in Huckleberry Finn**//

Throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Nature, a pivotal aspect of the story, exemplifies its role by dictating the course of the plot. The majority of the story, thus far, takes place on the Mississippi River, no doubt an facet of nature, where Huck and Jim float down in search of freedom and refuge. Huck and Jim utilize the Mississippi or Nature to provide them with transportation to their aspirations, however nature dictates how they will be transported, or in other words the upcoming events of the story. This assertion is supported in Ch. 15 where Huck and Jim encounter a dense fog during the night causing them to split up and eventually reunite. Without the aspect of nature, in this case the fog, the events of ch. 15 would not have occurred furthermore the character development (Huck tricking Jim into believing the events relating to the fog where a dream) during the latter part of the chapter would also not have occurred. Further proving this statement nature continues to dictate even at points where Huck and Jim where not on the river. For example in Ch. 9, during the period of time Jim and Huck spend on the island, Jim with his spiritual background predicts that rain is imminent. In preparation for this storm, or nature, the two move to high ground with all of their belongings to a cave which presumably would provide protection from the rain. Reiterating the central point, the specific events of this chapter would not have occurred without the presence of nature, thus dictating the plot and its course.

**Urban Wilderness**

//**Maggie A Girl of the Streets**//

Appearing throughout Maggie a Girl of the Streets are the harsh effects of society on the various characters. Compared to society today these effects are barbaric in nature, almost as if society, at the time, had no role in restricting the moral behavior of its inhabitants. In this way the hostile environment which society portrays relates to the lack of restriction in wilderness, thus urban wilderness within the text. This portrayal of urban wilderness through society is evident in the first scene of the text where Jimmie is engaged in outright brawl with various other boys. This quote on page 4 truly reveals the savage, wilderness like, environment in which Maggie A Girl of the Streets takes place. "In the yells of the whirling mob of Devil's Row children there were notes of joy like songs of triumphant savagery. The boys seemed to leer gloatingly at the blood upon the other child's face."


 * Chicago World's Fair**

Among the many effects on American society as a result of the Chicago Worlds Fair one of most pivotal was the introduction of the modern city. However along with the advancement and glamour of the modern city also came destruction of previously existing nature and urban wilderness. Compared to the cities of the past the architecture the Chicago Worlds Fair exhibited was immense, monstrous in size in comparison. As stated previously this came at a cost, and paying for this was nature itself. Originally the fair was to be built within the city of Chicago however due to its size it was built outside the city on undeveloped marshland. 600 acres of natural habitat was destroyed over a two year period only to stand for the enjoyment of the public for 6 months. Apparent by the statistics of the fair, nature was shoved aside completely for the enjoyment and wellbeing of the fair and its viewers.


 * The Great Gatsby VS American Land Theme**

The idea of wIlderness an underlining theme in American Land appears in the Great Gatsby in the social wilderness provided by the east coast setting. The east coast, specifically east and west egg, is a culture full of money and immoral actions. This depiction of the east and west egg is practically synonymous with the Buchanan family. The Buchanans a very wealthy couple immerse themselves in scandalous affairs, reeking havoc in others lives, and leaving the victims of their immoral lifestyle responsible for cleaning up the mess they've created. Nick and Gatsby natives of the mid west encounter this immoral behavior of East Egg and the Buchanans and struggle to understand the meaning of their impertinence. Their experience with this unknown social setting essentially is the connection to the themes of American Land. The unknown social setting is the wilderness and Nick and Gatsby, foreigners of this social perspective, are the explorers of this unknown territory.


 * Koyaanisqatsi VS American Land Theme**

Koyaanisqatsi relates to the themes discussed in American Land through its presentation of the relation between nature and man. Throughout the film nature and man are juxtaposed revealing the great contrast between the two. The film begins with beautiful time lapses of nature at its finest, providing the viewer with breathtaking sights that spawn new found appreciation for the wilderness around us. This inspiring beginning is then abruptly interrupted by the roar of man made machines. The following scenes show monstrous machines escalating various types of nature. This juxtaposition between the two really sheds a negative light on the human race for its interference with the beauty of nature and furthermore its unreasonable utilization of its resources. The movie continues by revealing more atrocities of the human race and how it really differs from the tranquility and beauty of nature. Koyaanisqatsi meaning life out of balance really reveals the unbalanced relationship we have with nature and furthermore the overall unbalance we experience in our lives in relation to the simplicity and tranquility of nature.