FROM ‘HOWLING WILDERNESS’ TO ‘HOLY WILDERNESS’
FROM ‘HOWLING WILDERNESS’ TO ‘HOLY WILDERNESS’

Summary/Abstract: The concept of Nature has always been a focal subject in different fields of study and scientific researches, ranging from natural sciences to social ones and, from philosophy to arts and literature. Within this framework, Nature in North America has thus far attracted numerous researchers, thinkers, and literary figures starting with the original settlers of the continent, indigenous (native) peoples, and continuing with colonists, Puritans, deists, scientists, dark romantics, romantics, transcendentalists, realists, naturalists etc... In this article, the subject matter is confined to the conceptual analysis of Nature from early Puritans to transcendentalists in North America. This article discusses a conceptualization process of nature from the early Puritans to the transcendentalists in North America by examining various religious, cultural, scientific, and literary perspectives. These perspectives helped the formations of the concepts of nature thus different senses and perceptions of nature emerged in certain periods according to the preconceived opinions and imaginations of people. Each dominant perspective in each period has a significant role in this conceptualization process of Nature. This kind of evolutionary process is tried to be discussed through examining specific texts which clearly represent these certain periods and by making use of ecocriticism.

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