Sam Ziemba- Outside Reading 1: Transcendentalism (1/29)

Sam Ziemba

29 January 2023

   Chapter 2 of Humans in the Landscape talks about transcendentalism and Intelligent Design, both of which connect the idea of God to nature. I think that such ideas are interesting in the way that they can prompt a deep spirituality, as well as a longing for the preservation of nature.  I was reminded of this poem we read in high school English when going over transcendentalism: 

“As silver rays of moonlight, glisten off the lake,

A purple haze is all around, that nature decides to make.

Such beauty in a barren scene, God’s wondrous hand provides,

Appreciate the Earth we have, the wind, the rain, the tides.

Cold crisp air and frosty ground, with rocks as old as time, 

Are scattered with perfection, such beauty is sublime. 

Celestial light from the moon, and all the stars above,

Shine so silently without fuss, as God’s eternal love” - Bill Hoeneveld


    Although this poet is not one of the traditional names in the transcendental movement, I think this work perfectly encompasses the ideas of transcendentalism. His figurative language describes the beauty of nature and connects it to a greater being. He also describes the beauty of nature as being sublime, a concept discussed in the readings. Edmond Burke characterizes the sublime as “the strongest emotion which the mind is capable of feeling.”  This is a bold statement, but a worthy one in reference to the wonders of nature. In line 4, Hoeneveld uses this divinity in nature as a method of urging preservation and appreciation, telling people explicitly to “appreciate the Earth we have”.  Emily Dickinson's poem, “My Faith is Larger than the Hills” has a similar message of cherishing and loving the world God created. I believe connecting God to nature is important for the environmentalist movement. Many people will not want to destroy or mistreat the earth when they recognize it as the careful, wondrous work of God. Transcendental writing is unique and beautiful in that it combines philosophy and spirituality with the natural world. 

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