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Nature and peoples 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 Bradstreets Contemplations represent nature as benevolent and pure, in contrast to Mary Rowlandsons 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 Bradstreets poem. Specifically, the author represents nature as innocent and delicate in Contemplations: The trees all richly clad, yet void of pride/Were gilded ore 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 Rowlandsons depiction of nature in her Captivity. Though detailing the characteristics of the landscape is not the priority of Rowlandsons narrative, her being captive being understandably at the forefront, nature does receive a spotlight in her writing. However, in contrast to Bradstreets perspective, Rowlandsons 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 Rowlandsons writing is also directly opposed to the warmth and admiration that can be experienced in Bradstreets poem. For instance, there is definitely and rather evident sense of despair in Rowlandsons 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 Bradstreets 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 seemd to aspire (Bradstreet). Therefore, Bradstreets 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 Bradstreets and Rowlandsons 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. Contemplations. Poetry Foundation, 1632, Web.
Rowlandson, Mary. A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson. Maricopa.edu, 1682, Web.
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