From Conflict to Identity: Main Issues Explored in US Literary Education - Sykalo Eugen 2023

What is the role of nature and its symbolism in the works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Edgar Allan Poe?

Nature, that ancient and enduring muse, has woven its rich tapestry of symbolism throughout the works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Edgar Allan Poe, two literary giants whose pens were touched by the enchanting and transformative power of the natural world. In their poetry and prose, nature serves not only as a backdrop but as a profound symbol, representing diverse facets of the human experience and offering glimpses into the depths of the human soul.

Longfellow, renowned for his evocative narrative poetry, often employed nature as a powerful symbol in his works. His poems explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition, with nature serving as a mirror to reflect and illuminate these profound emotions. Longfellow's symbolism of nature encompasses both its beauty and its harshness, its tranquility and its tumult, creating a multi-dimensional tapestry that resonates with readers.

In Longfellow's celebrated poem "The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls," the ebb and flow of the tide become a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life and death. The unrelenting passage of time is mirrored in the rhythm of the tides, underscoring the transient nature of human existence. Nature, in this poem, symbolizes the eternal cycle of life and death, reminding us of the impermanence of our mortal journey.

Similarly, in Longfellow's epic poem "Evangeline," the vast and untamed wilderness of the American landscape becomes a symbol of the arduous quest for love and reunion. As Evangeline traverses the natural landscapes of the New World in search of her lost love, nature becomes both a companion and a witness to her journey, reflecting the intensity of her emotions and the challenges she faces.

Edgar Allan Poe, on the other hand, weaves a darker and more mysterious tapestry of nature's symbolism in his works. Poe's exploration of the human psyche and its dark recesses finds resonance in the natural world, which becomes a mirror for the inner turmoil and conflicts of his characters. Nature in Poe's works is often portrayed as eerie, foreboding, and imbued with a sense of melancholy.

In "The Fall of the House of Usher," the decaying mansion and its surrounding landscape become symbolic of the characters' deteriorating mental and emotional states. The barren and desolate environment reflects the psychological decay and impending doom that pervades the narrative. Nature, in this tale, acts as a mirror for the twisted and haunted psyche of the characters, heightening the atmosphere of tension and suspense.

Poe's use of nature's symbolism also extends to his exploration of the sublime. In his poem "The Raven," the bleak and wintry landscape serves as a backdrop for the narrator's descent into madness and his longing for the lost Lenore. The symbolism of the raven, a creature associated with death and mourning, further underscores the narrator's despair and his confrontation with mortality. Nature, in this poem, becomes a catalyst for introspection, tapping into the depths of the human soul and evoking a sense of both awe and terror.

Both Longfellow and Poe recognize the power of nature to transcend the confines of the tangible world and evoke profound emotions and reflections. They employ nature as a canvas upon which they paint the intricacies of the human experience, capturing its beauty, its fragility, and its capacity to mirror the complexities of the human psyche.

In Longfellow's works, nature's symbolism reflects the cyclic nature of life, the impermanence of human existence, and the transformative power of love and loss. It serves as a backdrop against which his characters navigate their journeys, finding solace, inspiration, and meaning in the natural world.

In Poe's works, nature's symbolism delves into the darker corners of the human soul, embodying the haunting and macabre. Nature becomes a mirror for the psychological turmoil of his characters, evoking a sense of dread, melancholy, and introspection.

Nature's symbolism in the works of Longfellow and Poe serves to deepen the themes and emotions explored in their writings. It invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of existence, the fleeting nature of life, and the profound connections between the human spirit and the natural world. Through the intricate tapestry of their words, Longfellow and Poe remind us of the enduring power of nature's symbolism and its ability to illuminate the human condition.