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Thomas Cole was America's leading landscape painter. He was born on Feburary 1, 1801 in Bolton-le-Moor, England. He was the founder of the Hudson River School, which was a art movement that celebrated the American wilderness and landscapes. Cole emigrated to the United States as a child and became one of the most influential artists in American history. His work often depicted the natural beauty of the American landscape. His paintings consisted of light, color, and atmospheric effects to capture the beauty of nature. His landscapes often had a romantic quality to them, and he was deeply influenced by the idea of the sublime in nature.

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In the story The Bewilderment, Thomas Cole portrays nature as if it's going against him. Which is ironic in a way, because his paintings are often known for showing the romantic side of America. So for Cole to go against his paintings, and take on this new exploration of nature, was out of his element. Throughout the story, Cole complained about the harsh ways nature was treating him, and how alone he felt throughout the journey. He was angry and unprepared for the journey he took. Cole imagined the worst outcomes that could happen to him. This story criticized the dangers of imagination and nature.

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Quote "...for I was alone & a stranger in the wilderness."

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Quote "...for I was alone & a stranger in the wilderness."

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This phrase brings a sense of isolation and unfamiliarity. Cole feels both physically and emotionally disconnected from their surroundings. The wilderness being his surroundings, but could also symbolize a state of personal disorientation, where he is trying to navigate uncharted territory. Cole will be facing new challenges and experiences alone. Whereas the use of stranger suggests a feeling of not belonging. Cole felt alienated and will struggle to find a sense of place or connection in this world. It also tells us that he has no one to rely on as he embarks on his journey. The only person he has is himself, having to rely on his intuition.

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Quote "But a lone man in the wild isaffected by every change; by the light & the shade[,] thestorm and the sunshine"

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Quote "But a lone man in the wild isaffected by every change; by the light & the shade[,] thestorm and the sunshine"

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This quote emphasizes the sensitivity of someone who is alone and isolated in nature. A lone person, away from the support of society and surrounded by the natural world, becomes paranoid and aware of every change in their environment. Like, as he stated above, the changes in light, shade, storm, and sunshine. These being symbols of both external and internal forces. Cole's solitude makes him feel vulnerable, as his emotional and physical well-being is directly influenced by the natural world. This heightened awareness reflects both the beauty and the harshness of the wilderness, where every detail becomes impactful. He also wouldn't be able to tell what causes each shift, resulting in his mind wondering what else is out there with him.

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Quote "I became perplexed & bewildered & was utterly ignorant in what direction the nearest human habitation lay."

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Quote "I became perplexed & bewildered & was utterly ignorant in what direction the nearest human habitation lay."

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This quote conveys a deep sense of disorientation and confusion. Cole is lost physically, mentally and emotionally. He is also feeling very overwhelmed by his surroundings and unsure of where to go. His repetition of the words "perplexed," "bewildered" and "utterly ignorant" emphasizes his complete lack of understanding about his situation. He has no sense of direction, making him even more vulnerable and uncertain. Cole is also unable to find the house or town, where he can be with society once again. This conveys a moment of isolation, both literal and mentally. Cole is away from familiar landmarks, civilization, and support, creating a feeling of solitude and helplessness.

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Looking at what Thomas Cole has written so far, contrasts that of his paintings. Looking at his painting we see people socializing with one another. It brings a sense of peacefulness, calm and a beautiful side to humanity and nature. Whereas, his experiences on his journey so far are the opposite. He's alone, with no other human in sight, away from society. Cole is paranoid and every shift of nature could be one to harm him. The nature he writes about is one that is dark, eerie and dangerous. But the ones he paints are romantic and beautiful.

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Quote "The earth beneath my feet broke away & I was precipitated down a shelving steep. I clung to roots & shrubs as I descended but they failed me."

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Quote "The earth beneath my feet broke away & I was precipitated down a shelving steep. I clung to roots & shrubs as I descended but they failed me."

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This quote depicts a moment of intense struggle and vulnerability for Cole. He describes the earth beneath him giving out. Which I feel symbolizes a sudden loss of stability or security. It also suggests a dangerous descent, where the ground itself no longer offers reliable support. Cole attempts to hold onto the roots and shrubs for safety, but these supports fail him. It emphasizes his helplessness and the sense of being overwhelmed by nature as it is out of his control. This imagery evokes feelings of isolation, fear, and an inevitable fall. It highlights his struggle against the unpredictable and uncontrollable forces of nature.

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Quote "My situation was one of painful uncertainty. "

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Quote "My situation was one of painful uncertainty. "

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The nature around him had started to become rough and harsh. It started to down poor, the winds were howling, and the trees were moaning. This creates an imagery of darkness in the wild. Cole has nothing to protect him, and the only thing keeping him stable is the rock that he clings to. This quote shows how fast the weather can change, and how unpredictable it is. One minute it can be sunny with clear skies, and the next it starts to rain. It also brings a sense of suspense because he doesn't know what's going to happen to him. Cole is at his most vulnerable state.

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Quote "'Here'I exclaimed 'I shall perish & none shall hear my dying groan. And my friends shall never know my fate.'"

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Quote "'Here'I exclaimed 'I shall perish & none shall hear my dying groan. And my friends shall never know my fate.'"

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In this quote Cole is overwhelmed by a sense of isolation and despair. He finds himself in a dire, uncontrollable situation. He talks on the likelihood of his death, feeling completely abandoned. The phrase "none shall hear my dying groan" expresses the loneliness he's feeling at the moment, where even seeing or reconnecting with another human seems impossible. The mention of his friends not knowing his fate further amplifies that he feels the sense of abandonment. That his suffering will go unnoticed, vanishing without a trace. This brings a deep existential fear, along with the fragile and pure nature of life.

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Quote "My despair grew now to desperation and I began to feel a kind of pleasure in the fearful sublimity of my situation."

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Quote "My despair grew now to desperation and I began to feel a kind of pleasure in the fearful sublimity of my situation."

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In this quote, Cole transitions from a state of despair to a more complex emotion. As his desperation grows, he begins to experience pleasure in the intensity of his circumstances. The term "fearful sublimity" refers to the awe and terror that comes from facing something powerful, and beyond control. Cole shifts his perspective suggesting a kind of acceptance, where the overwhelming situation, also evokes a sense of being deeply connected to an outside force, other than himself. This quote blends fear with a sense of profound, raw beauty. He's reached a point where he felt completely helpless. No one was coming to save him, no one would know that he could die. It was just him and nature.

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Quote "I turned and beheld the blessed moon, looking down a long cavernous passage, like a pityingAngel of light. I knelt down and could have worshipped it."

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Quote "I turned and beheld the blessed moon, looking down a long cavernous passage, like a pityingAngel of light. I knelt down and could have worshipped it."

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In this quote, Cole describes a moment of intense emotional and spiritual connection with the moon. After enduring a period of despair, he finds peace in the moon’s light. This metaphorically depicts as a "pitying Angel of light." The use of "blessed" and the comparison to an angel suggests that the moon’s presence offers a sense of comfort in this bleak situation. As a response, he kneels down as if to worship the moon, showing moments of vulnerability. It also shows how nature can bring a deep emotional states, offering a fleeting sense of hope and spiritual refuge.

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Quote "the kind moon that had been my better Angel if I had been a Pagan. She of the silver bow would ever more have been the deity of my adoration."

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Quote "the kind moon that had been my better Angel if I had been a Pagan. She of the silver bow would ever more have been the deity of my adoration."

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In this quote, he reflects on the moon as a symbol of comfort and guidance. Cole imagines how if this were a different belief system, like the Pagan, the moon could have been worshipped as a deity. The moon is described as a "better Angel," suggesting that the moon’s gentle, constant presence offers more peace than any other religious figure or divine protection. The phrase "She of the silver bow" refers to the moon’s appearance as a silver arc in the sky, which further describes her to a celestial, and divine status. Cole also imagines how, if he had been in a culture that worshipped lunar deities, the moon would have been the object of his worship and devotion. It really highlights the spiritual power he feels in nature.

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Quote "after being in great danger of being torn to pieces by the dogs I gained admittance [and] was soon sitting by [a] glorious fire, in an arm chair made of the fantastic root of a tree..."

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Quote "after being in great danger of being torn to pieces by the dogs I gained admittance [and] was soon sitting by [a] glorious fire, in an arm chair made of the fantastic root of a tree..."

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In this quote, Cole contrasts the intense danger and fear he experienced, with the comfort and safety he finds once he's allowed in. Gaining "admittance" symbolizes a shift from chaos to refuge, as he moved from a threatening, unpredictable situation into the warmth and security of a house. The "arm chair made of the fantastic root of a tree" highlights the connection to nature, emphasizing the uniqueness and beauty of the space. This imagery suggests a sense of relief and a return to peace, where the dangers of the outside world are replaced by the comforting embrace of nature’s warmth and the safety of the fire. He is also finally with other humans once again, bringing even more sense of security and safety.

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Looking back at our past lessons on nature, this question itself is hard to answer. What is and what isn't considered nature. Thomas Cole was able to write nature as a storm, that can be harsh to humans. But his paintings show how connected we can be to nature, and how we can romanticize it. There isn't a true answer to this question, but rather how you view nature itself. Nature is forever changing, and will always be unpredictable. It can be terrifying, unwelcoming, pure, and beautiful. Cole was able to bring to life both sides of nature. Sharing the struggles you may endure, but also the sense of relief once the journey comes to an end.

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In conclusion, Thomas Cole had two different views on nature. His paintings captured the romantic view of nature and society. Whereas his writings were of desperation, feeling of isolation, and the harsh side of the unpredictable forces of nature. The way he wrote of the struggles he endeared, writing about nature in a descriptive writing. Really tied the story altogether. The usage of imagery, metaphors and symbolism, allowed the reader to feel like we were there with Thomas Cole. However, his paintings are very beautiful. It contains bright colors and a clean, welcoming atmosphere. Thomas Cole is an amazing writer and painter. Who's able to tell both sides of nature.