A. Bradstreet’s vs. M. Rowlandson’s View of Nature Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Nature and people’s connection to it represents one of the core topics in poetry. However, the perspectives on the subject matter are multiple and outstandingly diverse. Due to the differences in the backgrounds of the pieces, Anne Bradstreet’s Contemplations represent nature as benevolent and pure, in contrast to Mary Rowlandson’s The Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, which portrays nature as an untamed ad dangerous force.

The concept of nature as the epitome of purity is one of the most evident ideas in Bradstreet’s poem. Specifically, the author represents nature as innocent and delicate in Contemplations: “The trees all richly clad, yet void of pride/Were gilded o’re by his rich golden head” (Bradstreet). In the specified line, Bradstreet portrays her awe for the beautiful tree crowns and their amazing, rich and warm color, therefore, characterizing it as beautiful by design. Furthermore, Bradstreet emphasizes the absence of vanity or any semblance of pride in the magnificent design of nature, particularly, the beauty of the trees, by depicting them as “void of pride” (Bradstreet). Therefore, Bradstreet outlines purity and naivete as the key characteristics of nature, which allows her to represent it as innately benevolent and outstandingly innocent.

The described sentiment is juxtaposed starkly to Rowlandson’s depiction of nature in her Captivity. Though detailing the characteristics of the landscape is not the priority of Rowlandson’s narrative, her being captive being understandably at the forefront, nature does receive a spotlight in her writing. However, in contrast to Bradstreet’s perspective, Rowlandson’s view on nature is significantly more somber. Namely, she outlines how violent and cruel nature can be by specifying that one of her children was out “in the wilderness, I knew not where” (Rowlandson par. 10). The specified line details not only the intrinsic violence of nature, but also its unpredictability, therefore, allowing the writer to characterize it as wild and untamable and, therefore, perilous.

The contrast between the feeling of loneliness and isolation observed in Rowlandson’s writing is also directly opposed to the warmth and admiration that can be experienced in Bradstreet’s poem. For instance, there is definitely and rather evident sense of despair in Rowlandson’s description of how isolated she feels from the rest of the humankind when being brought into the wilderness: “there were no wigwams or inhabitants before”; moreover, she emphasizes that nature did not treat them kindly, leaving them “wet and snowy, and hungry, and weary, and no refreshing for man, but the cold ground to sit on” (Rowlandson par. 11). The described feeling of discomfort is nowhere to be found in Bradstreet’s poem, which admires nature in a rather detached manner, without recognizing the lack of comfort that is concealed within its beauty: “Whose ruffling top the Clouds seem’d to aspire” (Bradstreet). Therefore, Bradstreet’s view on nature is more detached and romanticized than that one of Rowland, who offers a much more practical and down-to-earth perspective.

Since the circumstances in which Bradstreet’s and Rowlandson’s works were created were quite different, they reflected the difference in views on nature, the former representing it as harmonic and providential, while the latter portraying it as wild and often brutal. Therefore, the writings in question represent two opposite opinions on the issue. However, with the specified perspectives representing the opposite opinions on nature and its relation to the humankind, one could argue that they constitute a complete portrayal of nature. Being both the repository of essential resources and a powerful force that often wreaks havoc, nature can be seen as both benevolent and dangerous.

Works Cited

Bradstreet, Anne. . Poetry Foundation, 1632, Web.

Rowlandson, Mary. . Maricopa.edu, 1682, Web.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2024, March 29). A. Bradstreet’s vs. M. Rowlandson’s View of Nature. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-bradstreets-vs-m-rowlandsons-view-of-nature/

Work Cited

"A. Bradstreet’s vs. M. Rowlandson’s View of Nature." IvyPanda, 29 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/a-bradstreets-vs-m-rowlandsons-view-of-nature/.

References

IvyPanda. (2024) 'A. Bradstreet’s vs. M. Rowlandson’s View of Nature'. 29 March.

References

IvyPanda. 2024. "A. Bradstreet’s vs. M. Rowlandson’s View of Nature." March 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-bradstreets-vs-m-rowlandsons-view-of-nature/.

1. IvyPanda. "A. Bradstreet’s vs. M. Rowlandson’s View of Nature." March 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-bradstreets-vs-m-rowlandsons-view-of-nature/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "A. Bradstreet’s vs. M. Rowlandson’s View of Nature." March 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-bradstreets-vs-m-rowlandsons-view-of-nature/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1