Divergence Of Tone In The Travel Writing Of Bartram And Waterton

English 2318.1
November 26, 2013

Nature and the Unfamiliar:
Examining the Divergence of Tone in the Travel Writing of Bartram and Waterton

Human experience within nature is a broad, ever-expanding subject of study, wherein one is limited to either divulging personal experience or interpreting the validity of the experiences of others in order to gain insight. As such, nature writing takes innumerable forms, with each approaching the task of describing experience within nature in a unique way and each emphasizing a different intent. As a result, there exists a tendency to denote nature writing to an all-encompassing category and furthermore, to neglect the subtleties that serve to differentiate one nature essay from another. These
Bartram demonstrates a deep appreciation of nature by virtue of its very existence, whereas Waterton’s appreciation seems to be rooted in purpose and acquisition. Further, Bartram reveres the simplicity of natural beauty, bred by the element of surprise, in such a way that it can be seen as the basis for his adoration. Whether in his description of a sudden procession of Ephemera, an immense and innumerable onslaught of alligators at dusk, or the powerful emergence of brilliantly coloured bands of fish from the mouth of “the Crystal Bason”, Bartram’s powerful imagery serves to demonstrate the ability of the natural world to continually inspire a sense of wonder and awe in the human species. In contrast, Waterton’s appreciation for the natural world lies in the acquisition of species deemed to be of interest by “the civilized world”. In this way, Waterton’s appreciation of nature can be seen as objects of interest contributing to a greater purpose, as opposed to a singular occurrence through which the beauty is seen in the occurrence itself, separate from civilized interpretation. This is not to say that Waterton is dismissive of the natural world that he encounters, to the contrary, Waterton creates incredibly powerful imagery through his
Whether it is his true intention or not, Bartram’s use of earnest and exploratory language reinforces in the reader a deep, and quite often neglected, respect for nature. Most evidently, this use of language is demonstrated in his observations of the movements of bands of fish with relation to “the Crystal Bason” (Bartram, 74), of which he declares “I raise my eyes with terror and astonishment; I look down at the fountain with anxiety, when behold them as it were emerging from the blue ether of another world” (75). So powerful is his genuine emotional language, that the effect of his raw appreciation simply for the occurrence itself is plainly evident. On the other side of the coin, Waterton’s often commanding and presumptuous descriptive language establishes an anthropomorphic tone throughout his essay, suggesting the superiority of man over nature and perhaps even further, a lack of respect for the natural world. This idea is best demonstrated through his encounters, not only with animals but also with his human companions, in which an attitude of superiority is prevalent, both intellectually and physically. The intellectual aspect of his implied superiority is conveyed through Waterton’s interactions with his human companions, of whom he implies to be of a lower species in his referral to them as “the Indian” or “the negro”, just as he refers