Das Eismeer (The Sea of Ice), 1823–1824, a painting by Caspar David Friedrich
The painting above depicts a fate that Walden fears but is willing to face, risking his crew's lives in order to fulfill his all-consuming pursuit of fame's immortality.
After having read these initial letters from the ship's captain to his sister, select a single passage (this may be a single paragraph or several) that you feel best typifies the sublime, then, based on that passage, answer the following questions:
1. In what way does the following image and the passage you selected demonstrate the sublime, specifically as it relates to the setting in Frankenstein?
2. In what way do we see the sublime within "Rime of the Ancient Mariner"? Use textual evidence to support your idea.
3. In both texts, how is nature characterized, and what do the texts suggest A) is man's relationship with nature, and B) about man's relationship with nature SHOULD be?
DUE: FRIDAY
Then, respond to ONE other student, extending and ADDING to the conversation.
DUE: Monday
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ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThe image shows that nature is unusual, intriguing, and intimidating. All the fragments of ice show how wonderfully unusual nature seems to be, but at the same time, nature can be dangerous. The passage I have selected in the letters segment is on page 12. In Letter II, Walden discusses how nature is a mystery, a beauty that he wants to explore. However, in Letter III, he describes his surroundings as “a dangerous region” because the ship gets closer harmful ice. He is interested in exploring nature, but at the same the time he is frightened by getting closer to it. In Frankenstein, nature is discussed often. It is discussed as beautiful, but also a peril for the well-being of people. In the poem, it mentions nature as frightening as well as marvelous. In lines 51-62, nature is described as magnificient because of its beauty, but it is also characterized to be frightening and threatening. Ice is described as wonderful because of its physical appearance, but it is perilous to the sailors as it makes noises when it begins to crack and roar. In both texts, nature is characterized to be wonderful, but also an enemy at times. Both texts suggest that men have an emotional relationship with nature. When people see nature looking intimidating, they begin to feel fear. Nature influences how we feel. It also suggests that a man should build a positive relationship with nature. Although nature can be intimidating or unusual, we should not be afraid to explore the mystery of it, treat it well and not interfere or we can face horrible consequences.
I like how you said that while nature is dangerous, it is also very intriguing and mysterious. Though it is dangerous, it shouldn’t hinder man from trying to explore the unknown. I like that.
DeleteThe passage I chose is in the very first letter. Right off the bat he says, "There-- for with your leave, my sister, I will put some trust in preceding navigators -- there snow and frost are banished; and sailing over a calm sea, we may be wafted into a land surpassing in wonders and beauty every region hitherto discovered on the habitable globe."
ReplyDelete1. Here, he is basically saying that they can surpass all the danger, and find a place more wonderful and incredible than had ever been discovered before. I think this passage highlights all the aspects of the sublime as related to Beowulf because it both acknowledges the potential dangers that exist in nature, but also claims that those dangers are worth it in order to experience the wonder and awe of nature. This connects to Victor in a way, because he was willing to suffer the dangers of nature (trying to manipulate it and give life to someone without a woman), in order to experience the wonder and glory of creating life.
2. We see Sublime in the Rime of the Ancient Mariner because in line 25ish, they are described as having a pleasant time, “the sun came up upon the left… and he shone bright and on the right…” However, eventually around line 40, a storm comes, and that storm is described as strong (l 42), wondrous cold (l 52) and the ice was all between and all around (58-60). This shows the many different aspects of nature because it describes it as both beautiful, yet terrifying.
3. Man’s relationship with nature is almost like we don’t matter. Man has no control over the power of nature, and we are rather small and insignificant in relation to the power and size of our world. Man’s relationship with nature is one of curiosity, and it is an attempt to understand nature and almost like man is also trying to control it and manipulate it. However, both texts highlight that man will never be able to successfully control nature, and instead man needs to respect nature for all its power, rather than try to control it. When man tries to control nature, it creates dangerous situations.
I agree with you for question 3 and would extend it by mentioning the fact that nature is both beautiful and scary and that humans want to control it so they don’t feel scared of it.
Delete1. The image shows how nature is sublime. It shows how it is both amazing but terrifying and dangerous. Nature can be seen as the epitome of the sublime because its is out of human control and evokes such mixed emotions. It is amazing how there seems to be two identical structures erupting from the ground with nothing in-between them, yet terrifying because of the harm and danger it could cause for the ship and those aboard. The passage from Frankenstein that shows the sublime is, "There — for with your leave, my sister, I will put some trust in preceding navigators — there snow and frost are banished; and sailing over a calm sea, we may be wafted into a land surpassing in wonders and beauty every region hitherto discovered on the habitable globe. Its productions and features may be without example, as the phenomena of the heavenly bodies undoubtedly are in those undiscovered solitudes (7)”. This shows that although it can be terrifying to explore nature beyond what is known to man, it is also beautiful and awe inspiring.
ReplyDelete2. We see the sublime in the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” in the awe and terrifying sights of nature. For example in line 41, it talks about the “strong” and “tyrannous” storm that drew the ship in. The storm is so powerful that it pulls the ship to a land of ice and nothingness, until a sea bird called the Albatross appears. This sight was amazing to the shipmates and brought them joy because they were terrified of where they were and that there was nothing surrounding them except ice. This experience was both terrifying and amazing because they survived the storm and even found there life, yet it was extremely dangerous and scary.
3. In both texts we see a lot of mention of ice which makes me think of isolation and being surrounded by the unknown. Mans relationship with nature seems almost one sided. In both texts we see evidence of times when man is helpless is the face of nature and is swept up by a storm and have no way to fight back or take control of the situation. In addition, both texts suggest that man should learn to respect nature for what it is and let it take control of them instead of them trying to control it.
The idea that the relationship seems one sided is intriguing and I see your argument but I am not sure that I agree completely. It is true that man does have difficulties interacting with nature; however, while he does struggle man still does have a relationship in nature. There may be destruction by trying to interfere with nature but I believe that the relationship is destructive and disrespectful rather than man simply not responding to nature's sublime.
DeleteThe painting above depicts a fate that Walden fears but is willing to face, risking his crew's lives in order to fulfill his all-consuming pursuit of fame's immortality.
ReplyDeleteAfter having read these initial letters from the ship's captain to his sister, select a single passage (this may be a single paragraph or several) that you feel best typifies the sublime, then, based on that passage, answer the following questions:
1. Ice usually has a beautiful quality to it because it looks majestic but it also has another side of looking sharp and dangerous and that is how it is Sublime. This relates to Frankenstein because in the letters Walton is on a mission to discover a route by ship, he is doing this by water and water is very beautiful to look at but it can also drown you so it is sublime because it is beautiful and dangerous. While on the water, Walton also feels very alone so the sublime there is saying that water is beautiful but it can also make you feel lonely.
2. The poem uses sublime when talking about ice, because the author describes it as “wondrous cold”. Wondrous is connotates as something magnificent, while cold usually gives a feeling of standoffishness. The speaker says, “And now there came both mist and snow,/ And it grew wondrous cold:...” (Lines 51-2). The poems says how wonderfully dangerous ice can be.
3. Nature is characterized as sublime because it is beautiful in a dangerous way. The texts say that being in nature can be lonely. The text says that our relationship with nature should be reverent towards it because we should appreciate it beauty but we should also be scared of it.
I would extend this idea of the sublime seen through nature by noticing that the text characterizes man as curious about nature. As man is intrigued with nature's beauty, he is curious and looks further into it, even though it may be dangerous. I think what you noticed is important, and you take it even further by explaining that man notices nature is beautiful and dangerous because he is curious about it.
Delete1. The image above shows how nature is sublime since it possesses qualities that beautiful, but at the same time, it can be dangerous. In the picture above, the fragments coming up are an amazing sight to see; however, their sharp edges can serve as terror and may seem frightening. The passage I selected was when it says, “Its productions and features may be without example, as the phanomena of the heavenly bodies undoubtedly are in those undiscovered solitudes” (7). This part in the passage suggests that the place where the ship is sailing to is sublime. There is a sense of awe and terror that accompany this. The captain is showing excitement to going, but at the same time, since it has been “undiscovered”, there is a sense of suspense and wonder. Both the image and the passage show how the setting in Frankenstein may be beautiful, but those exploring it may be terrified.
ReplyDelete2. In the poem, we see how nature is sublime. In Part IV of the poem, the speaker sees water-snakes in the water below him. Although these creatures are described as scary things that coil and swim around, the speaker seems to have a sense of curiosity and finds the snakes impressive. The water-snakes, being a part of nature, serve as a part in the poem where the sublime is present.
3. Both texts characterize nature by suggesting that men have a love/hate relationship with nature. Sometimes nature can seem scary and intimidating, but on the other hand, nature can be beautiful. Man should be able to recognize this and appreciate it. It also suggests that a man should have a good relationship with nature. If man does not get heavily involved with nature, it will treat us well. As long as man respects nature, nature will continue showing its beauty although it may seem scary at times.
I agree that men do have a love/ hate relationship with nature. I think that a man's relationship with nature is similar to their relationship with other people. A man can feel happy and angry with nature. Similarly, a man can have good and bad time with their loved ones. There can be times when one has a conflict with another individual, which can complicate their life. In a similar form, when a man has a conflict with nature, nature can fight back and bring obstacles to the man, such as a storm or a fatal wound.
Delete1. The image shows the dangerous aspect of nature and how nature can bring darkness and destruction. It shows pieces of wood broken down which could be from a ship being destroyed by ice (the ice representing the natural thing that was interfered with by the ship). However while nature has this negative aspect of being dangerous and harming things, the cold and air also has a positive side.
ReplyDelete“Inspired by this wind of promise, my daydreams become more fervent and vivid. I try in vain to be persuaded that the pole is the seat of frost and desolation; it ever presents it- self to my imagination as the region of beauty and delight.”
“The cold is not excessive, if you
are wrapped in furs— a dress which I have already adopted, for there is a great difference between walking the deck and remaining seated motionless for hours, when no exercise prevents the blood from actually freezing in your veins.”
For me these two quotes demonstrate that even Walton is aware of both sides of nature. He is familiar with cold airs and ice to bring danger and destruction, yet here he is excited. Nature must be treated with respect because of its “beauty and delight” and instead of standing still and allowing one’s self to be frozen or die, one must be present and active to truly experience all the good creations nature has to offer.
2. In the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” nature switches between beautiful and dangerous. In the beginning of the poem, there is a ship in a cold and strong storm that shows the dangerous parts of nature. In addition to this, in the points of the poem where things of this category (ice, snow, breeze) are discussed, one infers that the winter and items in nature at this time bring negative results such as the storm that takes the ship off course to the South Pole. However, the sublime in this poem is that at the same time that bad things are happening good things follow. Especially in nature, often viewed as a cycle of seasons, it is interesting to watch as things go wrong, and then turn positive for an instance. For example, when the Albatross bird comes into the picture it is believed to have a Christian soul and bring good omens. The bird appears at a time of distress coming to guide the crew through “the fog” symbolizing times of trouble. In addition, throughout the poem a breeze comes in and calms the people or the atmosphere of people and things in the text. This breeze can be seen as a summer breeze coming through to create a change and create a sense of relaxation. The cycle of nature is continuous, going from spring to fall to winter to summer; seasons bring changes with them and in this case show that moments can be different depending on the seasons, thus showing the contrast between the amazing parts of nature and those that bring terror and danger into our lives.
3. We see that man does not have a good relationship with nature. For example, in the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, man disrespects the positive symbol in nature that was sent to him. When the Albatross arrives readers are informed that this bird is a positive omen, and brings joy and goodness. However, instead of thanking the bird for leading the ship through the fog the Mariner decides to shoot it instead. An example of man not having a good relationship with nature in Frankenstein is the whole concept about creating man without woman. By creating life with dead bodies and not letting it happen naturally man is interfering with nature. Victor attempts to create a person and not think about the consequences similar to how the Mariner killed the bird and didn't think about the curse or consequences. In both cases man did not appreciate nature although it was supposed to. Man is viewed as one who should have a positive relationship with nature and be grateful for all that it has to offer and all that it can do for man. Man should not destroy or disrupt it but rather appreciate it.
1. The following image demonstrates the sublime through its depiction of the beautiful destruction that nature can cause. Though the picture depicts an icy shipwreck, the composition created by the ice and broken wood is impressive. This juxtaposition between the destructive yet awesome power of nature is a quintessential example of the sublime. Furthermore, the setting depicted in the painting depicts a fate that Walton and his ship could easily encounter during their voyage to find the Northwest passage. The passage I chose also demonstrates the sublime as Walton describes his failed attempts to reconcile the empirical danger of nature with the positive sensations that it causes him to feel. In the chosen passage Walton writes, “I try in vain to be persuaded that the pole is the seat of frost and desolation; it ever presents itself to my imagination as the region of beauty and delight.”
ReplyDelete2. We see the sublime in the Rime of the Ancient Mariner through the description of beautiful but negative aspects of the sea. Descriptions include a wind that “was tyrannous and strong” which creates a “wondrous cold.” This combination of adjectives with a negative and positive connotation suggest the awesome aspect of nature; it is beautiful, incredibly powerful, and equally destructive.
3. In Frankenstein and the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, nature is characterized as insurmountably powerful, while simultaneously beautiful. The novel suggests that nature is a formidable opponent for man, able to be temporarily defeated but never fully overcome. The best example of this being Victor’s creation. He has overcome nature and created an unnatural being, yet he has no natural inclination to care for it. Furthermore, this suggests that man should respect and submit to nature, as it was Frankenstein’s decision to attempt to overcome nature that led his life into one of misery. The poem views nature in a similar yet slightly moire positive light. Nature is powerful and beautiful, but rightfully so. Man will never stop attempting to overcome nature. However, man should not necessarily shrink from challenging nature, but should all the while recognize and be aware of its power.
1. The sublime is the notion that although something may frighten us and cause us to “cover our eyes” we still peep through the cracks of our fingers captivated by the unfolding beauty in the madness. The image demonstrates this because the ice is incredibly jagged and sharp which is very dangerous to passing ships. However, the ice shows nature at one of its extremes where it is completely free to spread as it wishes which is a beautiful quality. The entire second paragraph from Volume I letter I also demonstrates the idea of nature being sublime. There Walton tells his sister that despite the frost, desolation, and seemingly eminent danger to him and his crew, his imagination allows him to find beauty and delight. He is even willing to put aside his fear of death and willingly continue on his journey with the same joy he describes as similar to that of a child.
ReplyDelete2. The sublime is also apparent again in nature in the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. Specifically in lines 274-286 the man on the ship notices water-snakes swimming beneath the water and is immediately attracted to them and it seems that he cannot look away from their beauty. He even says that the sight of them fills his heart with joy and he blesses the creatures. This describes the idea of the sublime because water-snakes are seen as being dangerous and possibly violent however, he is drawn in by their different colors and begins to appreciate their beauty.
3. These two texts suggest that man’s relationship with nature is one filled with curiosity and overcome with the need to control this unknown thing. Man constantly attempts to control the way nature plays out or even predict its route. This however is nearly impossible due to nature’s undeniable strength and unpredictable responses. Man will never be able to fully control nature which leads to a cycle of man destroying nature and nature destroying man. Man’s relationship with nature should be one where man recognize its beauty as well as its intimidating aspects and respect its power rather than attempt to destroy it because they don’t understand it completely.
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DeleteI definitely agree with what what you were saying about the image. I would also add to say that there seems to be a light that is shining down upon the peak of the ice, may be suggesting that the artist meant it to be a reference to how God created nature.
DeleteI agree with your ideas about mans relationship with nature. To that idea, I would add that man should not only respect nature, but also be cautious around it. Like you mentioned, nature is very unpredictable and constantly changing, therefore, man should not try to control it or go against it, but instead be careful around it.
DeleteI agree with your idea on the sublime presented in the image. Although one would not hope for a disaster such as a shipwreck to occur, one will who has the opportunity see the outcome of the wreck is astonished by nature's ability to have such a huge impact on a situation. This can relate to the way one is afraid of huge fires but is still amazed by the colors, size, and power it has.
Delete1. The image shows that though nature can be breathtaking, it also can be unknown and dangerous. The sky in the image is blue and almost gives a calming effect. The light seems to be shining down on the ice almost illuminating it. However, the ice itself is jagged and uneven. There is nothing that is stable about the ice, yet it is nearly impossible to look away. The passage I chose was on the first page of the letters when Walton writes, “ Inspirited by this wind of promise, my day-dreams have become more fervent and wild. I try in vain to be persuaded that the pole is the seat of frost and desolation; it ever presents itself to my imagination as the region of beauty and delight.” In this passage, Walton is describing the sublime. He mentions the fact that though he recognizes nature as cold and desolate it also brings him joy. This is the embodiment of the sublime’s ideas of fear mixed with beauty. Walton is intrigued by the nature because of its beauty but is still aware to the fact that it is lonely.
ReplyDelete2. We see the sublime demonstrated in “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” in two different parts of the poem “At length did cross an Albatross.Thorough fog it came; As if it had been a Christian soul, We hail’d it in God’s name.” (L 63-6) At this point in the poem, the poet is praising nature through a bird that flies through the fog. The poet makes a reference to God in this section and likens it to a “Christian soul”. However, in another section of the poem, the poet denounces creatures of nature. “The very deep did rot: O Christ! That this should ever be! Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs Upon the slimy sea.” (L 123-6). The poet makes another reference to religion in this section but this time it is of purpose to speak of a negative effect of nature. The poet describes the creatures that rise out of the water as “slimy” and because of this categorizes the sea as slimy as well. This speaks to the sublime due to the fact that the poet cannot categorize what has come out of the water so he uses “things” to describe what it is. These two section speak to the sublime because one on hand the poet is familiar and curious of the creatures that nature provides but contrastingly the poet is faced with the unknown creatures that nature provides. This serves to show that though nature can be habitual it can also be mysterious and terrifying due to unknown elements.
3. In both texts nature is characterized as an amazing wondrous place that can offer new experiences and discoveries. But nature is also characterized in both texts as being dangerous due to its uncertainty and volatility. Man’s relationship with nature demonstrated in both texts is one of curiosity but is followed with loneliness and danger. Man’s relationship with nature is one that should be developed and should indulge in curiosity but one that is cautious of the uncertainties that may become of being in nature.
I agree with your ideas about man's relationship with nature being one of curiosity, yet also cautious of its uncertainties. I would also add that it would be wise for man to develop a relationship with nature by not only being cautious, but also by openly respecting it and not attempting any acts that may harm it or destroy it in any way.
Delete1) The following image and the passage I chose from letter one depict nature as a sublime by highlighting that though there is beauty in discovering the unknown, there's a chance for a negative turn of events. While the image has beautiful aspects, it is still an image of a something negative: a shipwreck. The passage I chose, "I may there discover the wondrous power which attracts the needle; and may regulate a thousand celestial observations, that require only this voyage to render their seeming eccentricities consistent for ever. I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man. These are my enticements, and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death" demonstrates this sublime as it mentions that he might find something extraordinary but that there is still exists the danger of dying. Victor Frankenstein's interest in natural philosophy leads him to do something that had not been done yet. Though it is extraordinary that he is able to give life, he has created a monster.
ReplyDelete2) We see the sublime within the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" on lines 50-55 and on lines 75-80. The man uses words such as "wondrous" and "glimmer'd" when he explains weather conditions. Although there is a storm, the man uses such words to demonstrate the beautyor sublime of the conditions. man on the ship uses adjectives
ReplyDeleteI agree that the speaker's explanation of weather conditions demonstrates his awe toward nature. I would add that the speaker's awe for the storm transformed from fear, like when he notes that the ice surrounding the ship is "dismal" and that the ship is in total isolation in the midst of the ice (l 56-8). The speaker is able to find beauty in isolated nature.
DeleteThe painting above depicts a fate that Walden fears but is willing to face, risking his crew's lives in order to fulfill his all-consuming pursuit of fame's immortality.
ReplyDeleteAfter having read these initial letters from the ship's captain to his sister, select a single passage (this may be a single paragraph or several) that you feel best typifies the sublime, then, based on that passage, answer the following questions:
1. In what way does the following image and the passage you selected demonstrate the sublime, specifically as it relates to the setting in Frankenstein?
2. In what way do we see the sublime within "Rime of the Ancient Mariner"? Use textual evidence to support your idea.
3. In both texts, how is nature characterized, and what do the texts suggest A) is man's relationship with nature, and B) about man's relationship with nature SHOULD be?
In both texts, there are limits demonstrated regarding a man's relationship with nature. A man should not interfere with nature because it can be dangerous but it is still important to have a connection with it. However, if one tries to come in the way of nature's processes, such as the creation of life, the consequences can be severe. For that reason, it important to recognize the limits between man's relationship with nature in order to prevent destruction.
The image and my passage both depict the sublime by demonstrating both nature's beauty and dangers, which Walton experiences on his voyage. The image has light colors, such as light blues and muted browns, which signify a serene and beautiful environment. Similarly, when Walton writes, “the sun is for ever visible; its broad disk just skirting the horizon, and diffusing a perpetual splendour” (7) he describes nature as an amazing spectacle. However, in both the image and Walton’s letters, nature’s terrors are also revealed. For example, the sharp edges of the ice blocks imply how treacherous nature can be. In addition, Walton writes in his letters, “perhaps year, will pass before you and I may meet. If I fail, you will see me again soon, or never” (9). In Walton warning his sister that he may not return home, he is expressing the horrifying and sometimes fatal dangers that sometimes accompany nature. Similarly, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” demonstrates the sublime, because it describes nature as both beautiful and dangerous. The speaker says, “And now the Storm-blast came, and he/Was tyrannous and strong:/He struck with his o’ertaking wings,/And chased us south along” (l 41-4) to demonstrate how nature can violently steer a ship off its course and pose a threat to the ship’s safety. However, the speaker also describes nature as beautiful and wondrous when he says, “And now there came both mist and snow,/And it grew wondrous cold:/And ice, mast-high, came floating by/As green as emerald (l 51-4) thus demonstrating how nature is the epitome of “sublime”, being both wondrous and terrifying at the same time. Further, Nature is characterized as powerful and dominant in both texts, yet they suggest that although man is afraid of nature, they are not so afraid to refrain from exploring it. Further, the tests suggest that nature is to be explored, but not disrespected. Also, the texts suggest that nature’s characteristics which prove themselves to be dangerous are dangerous for a reason and should be left untouched and unexplored, for its own good and the explorer’s good.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thought that some things in nature should be left untouched because of the danger and fear it instills in people. Along with that the thought that some things are meant to be explored also holds a valid part of this topic. Overall, I think that it is important to know when to explore your curiosity and when to keep a healthy distance from some aspects of nature
Delete1. The passage I chose is in letter IV. It is as follows: "Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. The starry sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions, seems still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth. Such a man has a double existence: he may suffer misery, and be overwhelmed by disappointments; yet when his retired into himself, he will be like a celestial spirit that has a halo around him, within whose circle no grief or folly ventures." A romantic appreciation of the sublime can be characterized as a fear and awe of the wonders of extreme nature. The image and passage I chose reflect the sublime by portraying nature as nearly otherworldly. In the image, the natural world is portrayed in an unnatural way- jagged lines, a barren landscape, and a manmade ship destroyed amongst the beautiful carnage. In the passage nature is seen as a force to be revered, that relieves the misery of humanity. One who appreciates the sublime can find inner peace. The sublime in Frankenstein is an all encompassing force that can cause mass destruction just as easily as it can create beauty.
ReplyDelete2. In the "Rime of an Ancient Mariner" the sublime is shown through the portrayal of nature as both a beautiful and destructive force. It inspires awe and terror, as the sublime does, in sailors. The ocean is a force that can destroy a ship, leaving it a skeleton of itself as quickly as it should desire. This is especially prevalent in the part that says, "
Beyond the shadow of the ship,
I watch'd the water-snakes:
They moved in tracks of shining white,
And when they rear'd, the elfish light
Fell off in hoary flakes.
Within the shadow of the ship
I watch'd their rich attire:
Blue, glossy green, and velvet black,
They coil'd and swam; and every track
Was a flash of golden fire.
O happy living things! no tongue
Their beauty might declare:
A spring of love gush'd from my heart,
And I bless'd them unaware:
Sure my kind saint took pity on me,
And I bless'd them unaware." The speaker is looking at these creatures of the natural world with such esteem and awe, which is nearly ironic because these are beasts that could kill him. Snakes are symbolic of poison, danger, and fear. However the author chose to have the speaker see them as beautiful animals. This directly reflects the romantic belief that nature, as a sublime force, is both dangerous and beautiful.
3. In both poems, nature is characterized as a power with supreme authority. Man can never control or go against the beauties and dangers o nature for very long. In the novel , Frankenstein attempts to play the role of God/Nature and create life, leading to his eventual demise. Nature triumphs over the unnatural efforts of Frankenstein. In the poem, nature, by her beauty and destruction, will also always defeat the efforts of the unnatural and man as well, however man should not go against their own nature and stop testing the limits of the natural world. Man's relationship with nature is one of adversity, where man attempts to push its own limits and assume the roles nature alone should hold. Nature will, and always does, defeat man's efforts in any instance, as it has the upper hand due to its dangerous and destructive nature. Man should have a relationship with nature in which it fulfills the natural role preordained to it. Men should not try to control the awe-inspiring ferocity of the earth and instead appreciate it and harness its gifts to their benefit, without attempting to take advantage of her resources.
I agree that nature is uncontrollable, and humans can never conquer nature. Nature is a force so strong, that not even Frankenstein could defeat it. I also completely agree that humans should not attempt to interfere with nature.
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ReplyDeleteIn Letter IV, Walton describes how his ship was surrounded by ice on all sides while being covered in a thick fog. They thought the ice had no end. This description of the setting describes the sublime as very alluring, but also very dangerous.
ReplyDelete"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" describes the setting as "The ice was here, the ice was there, / The ice was all around: / It cracked and growled, and roared and howled, / Like noises in a swound!" It seems to personify the ice as some kind of monstrous creature because of the way it "cracked, growled, roared, and howled".
Both of the texts describe nature as very beautiful, but also very dangerous. They also seem to suggest that man is afraid of nature because it's so vast and unknown to us. Man shouldn't be afraid of nature, but be appreciative of it.
I agree with the fact that the reason why man find nature inticing and sublime is because of its beauty and danger, but also believe there lies a deeper reason. Humans naturally fear that which they don’t completely understand. In terms of nature, there is much we have yet to discover and I believe that is the core reason as to why nature is so intriguing to humans. It is a force that is found so beautiful yet is understood so minimally.
DeleteDesire the fear, humans pursue its exploration in order to reveal more facets of nature that could ultimately appreciate and find beautiful as well.
DeleteI disagree that the texts imply that man shouldn't be afraid of nature. In both texts, their reverence of nature seems to coincide with their fear of it. I agree with your point that the text implies that man should be appreciative of nature, but the fear of the danger nature imposes exists at the same time.
DeleteI agree that man should fear nature because of its unexplained vastness; however, I disagree with the thought that we have no reason to fear it. Nature and earth is so complex and there is so much we have yet to discover about it, and I feel that a healthy fear of the unknown is something that is emphasized in this regard
Delete1. The image depicts the sublime, as the image is great and intriguing, but also terrifying. In the picture, the sharp edges of the ice make the photo look dangerous, but at the same time, the sky and the setting of the frozen area cause one to find nature beautiful. The passage I selected was from Letter I from lines 26-32. These lines discuss the captain's understanding of how his curiosity with nature allows him to conquer his fears in nature. As he is interested with nature, he is also fearful of it, just as the sublime. He wants to feel the "joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat with his holiday mates" (31-2), meaning that he wants to be excited about nature and what it has to offer.
ReplyDelete2. In the poem, we see the sublime. Nature is described as both intriguing and dangerous. For example, the setting in the Mariner's story is described as having a "roaring wind" and being a "wondrous cold," which causes the setting to seem beautiful but also frightening. "Wondrous" is praising the wind, but wind is not usually described as "wondrous," so we can see that nature is acknowledged for being beautiful even when it does not seem to be, following the meaning of the sublime.
3. Both texts discuss that a man's relationship with nature is curious but can lead to danger. This is similar to the sublime, as man is intrigued by nature, but also finds that nature can be frightening. In Frankenstein, Victor is intrigued and interested with his creation of the monster, but he is also terrified by it. The texts explain that man should be respectful towards nature no matter how scary it may be, and appreciate nature for all it gives the world.
1. The image depicts the sublime by focusing on both the beauty of the ice and the danger of it. The painting shows the ice as grand, and uses cool colors to give the painting a feeling of calm. However, within the painting is a wrecked ship. This, along with the sharp ice, show the danger of the situation. This relates back to Frankenstein's setting because Walton is in a similar situation. He notes the beauty of the ice surrounding him, but also recognizes the danger and terror it poses him, as he states multiple times that he may die on his voyage.
ReplyDelete2. In "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", we see the sublime through the description of ice as beautiful, majestic, and dangerous. For example, in lines 51-4, their surrounding are described as a "wondrous cold", and the ice "as green as emerald". The comparison between the ice and a gem such as emerald shows how the mariner saw beauty in it. In those same lines, the ice is said to be "mast-high", showing both how grand the ice is and how dangerous it is. Ice that large could easily wreck the ship, much like the ship in the painting above.
3. These texts show that man's relationship with nature is that of an observer. Nature is shown as being so grand that humans are almost insignificant in comparison. People such as Walton risk their lives to witness and discover nature, but nature will easily strike them down without hesitation. The texts imply that man should respect and appreciate nature, while also being careful not to interfere with it, or else they risk dying.
When looking at the picture I saw it as the sublime because of its beauty and being terrifying, but I did not think about how the colors affect it and reflect calmness. I wanted to add that the fact that there is nothing but the ice being focused on shows the isolation of being out at sea, and the dangers that we might overlook because we're too focused on completing what we set out to accomplish.
ReplyDeleteThe passage that I chose talks about how Walton’s voyage may be delayed due to the horrendous winter season, but spring is coming sooner than expected, and is promising to be amazing weather. This shows that nature, in this case, the seasons, can be both daunting, and magnificent. The same goes for the picture of the shipwreck. I think the painting demonstrates the sublime by showing both the beauty and danger in nature, in this case the ocean. The painting is beautiful, including light greys and blues in the painting. It also is warmed with a light shining onto the ocean and the rocks, to add to its beauty. On the contrary, the ocean is full of frozen, jagged icicles that basically look like rocks, which adds to the danger aspect of the painting.
ReplyDeleteI see sublime demonstrated in “Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” when its says, “The ice was here, the ice was there,
The ice was all around :
It cracked and growled, and roared and howled, Like noises in a swound !” I think here it is showing the ice as something that should be feared. When I think of ice, I think it is amazing since water, a liquid, was somehow transformed in to a solid that can destroy. This passage makes me think that ice is both dangerous and amazing.
In both texts I think man’s relationship with nature is that nature is great and man is small. Nature is infinite and diverse. Nature is beautiful and dangerous. Sometimes, man seems lost or helpless in the presence of nature because it is so much greater than us. The text says that we should appreciate nature and respect it, even if it scares us.
In the Letter 2, Walden describes the region as dangerous and forboding but continuously comments on how enthused he is to embark on the discovery and adventure through the arctic wasteland. Both the image and the passage demonstrate the sublime because it depicts nature as a gloriously dangerous beauty.
ReplyDeleteIn lines 59-62, the Mariner describes nature as a tremendous force of power that has trapped them. Her personifies it by alluding the ice around them to the fierce growls of an animal. In this text, nature is described sublime due to the fact that despite its intimidating presence, the Mariner continued to lead his crew through the ice due to his complete obsession with exploring nature’s secrets.
In both texts, nature is viewed by humans a a magnificent and frightening power that is meant to be discovered. However, nature is meant to remain jut as it always has been natural, and untouched by humans. Humans should maintain a respective relationship with nature and understand that somethings should be admired at a distance.
1. The image and the passage, “I cannot describe to you my sensations on the near prospect of my undertaking. It is impossible to communicate to you a conception of the trembling sensation, half pleasurable and half fearful, with which I am preparing to depart. I am going to unexplored regions, to ‘the land of mist and snow;’ but I shall kill no albatross, therefore do not be alarmed for my safety” (pag 12), demonstrate the sublime, specifically as it relates to the setting in Frankenstein, because of the description/portrayal of nature as both possessing “half pleasurable and half fearful” qualities. Sublime is the experience of both awe and terror and this is seen in the fascination and fear Walton experiences based on the image and his letters.
ReplyDelete2. We see the sublime within “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” in lines 51-62. We see descriptions of nature as something beautiful, “wondrous cold” (line 52) and “as green as emerald” (line 54). These qualities are describing things of beauty which are appreciated in awe. We also see nature described with a sense of fear of the unknown in “nor shapes of men nor beasts we ken-- the ice was all between” (lines 57-8). There is uncertainty and isolation described in these lines as the mariners are surrounded by nothing but ice and no sign of life is to be found.
3. Nature is characterized as more powerful than man in both texts in that nature surrounds man and man cannot escape it. In both texts, the authors suggest that man’s relationship with nature is out of fear and a sense of an overwhelming presence. The texts suggest that man’s relationship with nature should be one based on respect in which man respects nature with all its power and control in its undeniable presence.
The following image and passage demonstrate the sublime, specifically as it relates to the setting in Frankenstein, because both show the frozen tundra of the unknown, natural world. Walden refers to the uncharted territory he navigates as “the land of mist and snow,” borrowing from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and describes his feelings and partly excited and partly afraid. He sums up the overall subliminal feeling that the unknown territory invokes, and the painting illustrates the terrain and captures the sense of awe and terror that such unknown land must invoke. Rime of the Ancient Mariner shows the sublime in nature because nature is both revered and feared. The speaker observes nature’s beauty, commenting “Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white, / Glimmer’d the white moonshine” (l 77-8). “Glimmer’d” especially stands out as particularly complementary and in-awe of nature. However, the speaker later states, “Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs / Upon the slimy sea” (l 125-6). The disgust and terror from these sentences demonstrates the fear that man feels toward nature. Nature is characterized as beautiful and dangerous in both texts. It suggests that man’s relationship with nature is beautiful but fragile; one misstep could have grave consequences. Man’s relationship with nature should be one of awe and wonder, fear and terror. Man should know how insignificant his life and problems are compared to the striking vastness of nature.
ReplyDeleteInteresting conclusion about man's relationship with nature; I think it definitely can be considered fragile. However if a mistake by man against nature can have "grave consequences" does that mean the two have a negative, adversarial relationship? Or is it a positive zero-sum game type scenario where both man and nature benefit and suffer accordingly as a result of the other's actions? (Also, I do not believe subliminal is not the adjectival form of sublime, if that is how you intended to use it.)
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