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In “The Bewilderment,” Thomas Cole describes the sublime as a terrifying but enchanting force. His presentation explores the emotional highs and lows of encountering untamed nature, indicated by shifts from excitement to disorientation. Cole explains, "But a lone man in the wild is affected by every change; by the light & the shade[,] the storm and the sunshine" (3). The wilderness leaves him feeling powerless, which is also reflected in Edmund Burke’s idea of the dynamic sublime, where certain immense natural forces can overwhelm human senses. Cole’s narrative aligns with Romanticism’s portrayal of nature as vast and uncontrollable, emphasizing that interactions with wilderness lead to both fear and fascination. The sublime experience for Cole is a cultural phenomenon, where nature becomes a space for spiritual reflection, but also exposes human vulnerability due to its harsh elements.

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In “Ktaadn,” Thoreau critiques the notion of escaping to nature by underscoring nature’s indifference to human existence. Unlike pastoral landscapes that suggest harmony, Thoreau’s experience on Mt. Ktaadn reveals a wilderness that is unwelcoming. He describes, “Vast, Titanic, inhuman Nature has got him at disadvantage, caught him alone, and pilfers him of some of his divine faculty. She does not smile on him as in the plains” (5). Thoreau warns that those who seek comfort in nature will instead find it harsh and uninviting. The mountain landscape embodies the struggle between culture and wilderness, asserting that nature exists independently of human desires. By his presentation of wilderness as an overwhelming force, Thoreau challenges common romantic ideals, showing that human expectations for comfort and transcendence often clash with nature’s raw, uncontrollable power.

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Cole’s story expresses the emotional and spiritual journey that occurs within the wilderness. As he faces physical exhaustion and navigates the dangers of the forest, Cole undergoes a profound realization and appreciation for nature. After his series of bad experiences, he shares, “The last clouds of the storm were dissipating[,] and the moon was setting clear behind a range of distant mountains—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. Though the moon was setting the day was dawning &there was light enough to enable me to pursue my way had I known in what direction” (5). His moment of reverence for the moon symbolizes nature as an angelic force, where even in fear, he finds solace. This connection between nature and spirituality aligns with romantic ideals, where encounters with the sublime offer insights into human existence. Cole’s passage reflects how the natural world functions as both a physical and mental space, providing challenges that can also lead to moments of deep contemplation.

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Thoreau’s depiction of Mt. Ktaadn conveys the idea that the wilderness exists beyond the reach of human understanding or control. He draws a stark contrast between nature’s gentler, nurturing presence in the valleys and the harsh, unwelcoming environment found at higher altitudes. On the mountain, nature is portrayed as indifferent, untouched by human concerns, and resistant to any form of cultural influence. Thoreau's remark, “Why came ye here before your time?” underscores the pointlessness of human attempts to impose order or comprehension on the wild (5). His encounter with the mountain reflects the reality of the natural world, challenging romanticized views of nature as inherently generous and emphasizing the tension between human expectations and the character of the wilderness. Nature remains unmoved by human values and beliefs and is entirely autonomous. It will exist without humans, but humans cannot exist without it.

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Thomas Cole’s painting “The Oxbow” visualizes the tension between the pastoral and the sublime. The pastoral landscape on the right represents cultivated, humanized land, suggesting a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. Due to human interactions with the pastoral land, humans expect all of nature to be just as inviting. However, the wild forest on the other side of the artwork symbolizes the sublime as an unimaginable force that exists beyond human control. This aesthetic divide reflects Cole’s understanding that human culture and nature are in constant dialogue, a theme reflected in Thoreau's writing as well. The painting suggests that while humans strive to cultivate and tame the environment, the wilderness remains a force that resists domestication. This further develops Romanticism's view of nature as both beautiful and terrifying.

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Thoreau’s experience on Mt. Ktaadn illustrates the role of isolation in fostering self-discovery. Stripped of the distractions and comforts of society, he is confronted by the natural world, which forces him to abandon rational thought and instead rely on more instinctual responses. He explains, "It was like sitting in a chimney and waiting for the smoke to blow away. It was, in fact, a cloud-factory, — these were the cloud-works, and the wind turned them off done from the cool, bare rocks" (5). This regression to primal instincts aligns with Romantic ideals, which view nature as a space for deeper personal insight. Thoreau’s sense of being highlighted by his natural surroundings in the summit shows how immersion in the natural world can alter human consciousness. It strips away the layers of cultural influence, allowing for a more direct and honest confrontation with the self. The mountain becomes a space for deep reflection, where Thoreau is able to access insights that would be unreachable within the confines of daily life.

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The Tension Between Nature and Culture (Cole)

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The Tension Between Nature and Culture (Cole)

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Cole explores the tension between nature and culture by reflecting on untouched wilderness and consequences of human activity such as destruction and alienation from the natural world. Culture seems to impose control and structure, while nature elicits an uncontrollable emotional responds. He explains, "I became perplexed & bewildered & was utterly ignorant in what direction the nearest human habitation lay" (4). Cole is disoriented and seems to have no understanding of the world around him when not surrounded by culture. The cultural aspects of our world are predictable, expected, and structured while nature operates on its own terms. With culture being a human creation, there is complete control and understanding of it. Humans tend to fear the unknown which explains the hesitation to combine nature with culture.

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Thoreau’s narrative portrays the wilderness as a sacred space, separate from human culture. His experience atop Mt. Ktaadn emphasizes the idea that nature is not meant for human occupation or manipulation. Thoreau describes the wilderness as a place where one must approach with humility. This sacred view of nature aligns with the Romantic idea that wilderness offers spiritual insights but must be respected and preserved. Thoreau’s writing suggests that true encounters with nature require reverence and an acknowledgment of humanity’s limitations, challenging the cultural impulse to dominate the environment. This makes us wonder if it is possible to live in harmony with and respect the natural world when our actions have caused significant destruction. If we consider nature as its own being, why do we not realize the impact our actions have?

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Cole’s description of his experience with the sublime was a journey that sparked curiosity. With every advance, he wanted to see more of the things he was seeing and hearing. As he navigates the wilderness, he experiences moments of awe that bring both wonder and joy. He explains, "At length I thought I heard the sound of falling water. I listened & was confirmed, stooped & found a low arch through which the water was rushing. One moment I stood in thought ere I ventured into this subterranean passage. Where might it lead? Perhaps to unfathomable gulfs, into black labyrinths, into the dayless caverns of the earth" (4). This emotional ambivalence reflects the romantic fascination with the sublime, where beauty and fear coexist. In this case, fear turns into curiosity. Cole emphasizes that the wilderness offers both physical challenges and rewards, which suggests that fear can lead to personal growth when confronted. His ability to find pleasure in the terrifying aspects of nature reflects a deeper understanding of the human-nature relationship, where the sublime becomes a source of transformation.

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The Tension Between Nature and Culture (Thoreau)

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The Tension Between Nature and Culture (Thoreau)

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Thoreau's thoughts while navigating Ktaadn reveal a deeper disconnect between nature and culture. From Thoreau’s perspective, nature appears to be shaped by cultural symbols and myths, but in reality, it is nature that inspires these human creations. He writes, “Occasionally, when the windy columns broke in to me, I caught sight of a dark, damp crag to the right or left; the mist driving ceaselessly between it and me. It reminded me of the creations of the old epic and dramatic poets of Atlas, Vulcan, the Cyclops, and Prometheus” (5). Thoreau's ability to connect nature with these cultural references shows how deeply culture influences human thought. Yet, as Thoreau navigates the wilderness, it becomes clear that these mythological figures were more likely influenced by nature’s raw power and unpredictability, rather than the other way around. Nature remains indifferent to human constructs, continuing its cycles regardless of cultural interpretations. Thoreau’s observations suggest that while humans attempt to define and shape nature, it is nature that dominates and ultimately shapes human imagination.