The reading for this week was the first reading to really pinpoint and dissect the notion that perhaps humans and nature are one and if so why is it that we feel separate from it. It seems no matter what text you read in this class, a Christian value can be spotted somewhere in its interpretation. In this particular case, I felt the religious aspect added to not only the awe and beauty of nature, but also the fear and otherness it gives off. Cronin pointed out that in “—early Christian saints and mystics had often emulated Christ’s desert retreat as they sought to experience for themselves the visions and spiritual testing He had endured. (Cronin, 10)” I think this urge to go into the unknown and truly immerse yourself into something natural. Like the desert, to experience something supernatural or unnatural, pulls on the idea that we as a human race knew very little of the natural world around us during this Romantic period, but it was this era of curiosity that gave these natural environments a sort of mysterious personification. It was no longer supposed that nature was simply a desolate plot of land, but when given meaning by the Bible, nature began to warrant respect from its human counterparts. I also thought this idea showed through in the quote “[God] would most often be found in those vast, powerful landscapes where one could not help feeling insignificant and being reminded of one’s own mortality. (Cronon, 10)” It would seem that in order for humans to respect nature and view/understand its value, a hierarchical mindset must be employed. Since God was above all, of course he would chose places that remind you, you are but one single human he has created in this vast world he has crafted. It would seem that for humans to give value to anything, they must see themselves below it, which may warrant the question why humans respect things they feel powerless to? I’m not sure exactly what it all means but I thought these ideas were striking in the reading so hopefully one of my fellow classmates can further elaborate my thoughts.
Literature and the Environment: Mermaids
Professor Jessica Pressman. Spring 2024
Hi Carina,
I love that you pointed out how how humans, ascribe value by having a very hierarchal form of thinking. I do feel like this is a particularly western way of viewing the world. I imagine that this is not the same form of thinking of all cultures. It woud certainly be an interesting topic to research more on.
Hi Carina,
I really liked the point you make of the hierarchical mindset that takes place for humans. I can see that in the sense that humans may respect nature in one way, while others may not. I think there’s this sense of respect not only because it is something God has crafted but instead because it is something that is constantly around us, it is bigger than us, and possibly creates fear since we cannot expect their next move. Nature is something that as much as we think is predictable, it can be unpredictable at times.
Hi Carina,
I really liked how you pointed out the connection between the Christian values and nature. You brought up a lot of interesting points on how religion connects to nature, and how we are scared and an in awe of it at the same time. The natural idea the humans are the superior race, shows why nature is looked at as different or scary in a way, which you pointed out when discussing the Christian idea of :nature warranting respect from humans.” I thought this was an interesting prompt, as I hadn’t looked at this with too much of a religious lens.
Hi Carina,
I really appreciate your observation that Christianity has been present in almost all of the texts we’ve examined so far in this course. I hadn’t drawn that connection between this text and those of mermaids we’ve read so far. It is definitely indicative of how the predominant religion of the world at the time imbued itself in humanity’s perspective of the world that surrounds them; it provided answers and personifications of both good and evil that followers could have faith in and take comfort in, misguided or not. When the religion can impose sinful values on nature, it is evil; when purity and goodness can be imposed, it is good, and God himself can be found in it.
Thank you for making this point and broadening my understanding of the text!