Director, Environmental Studies
Professor of English

STUDY QUESTIONS
on William Bartram

Source

John Gatta, Making Nature Sacred

Terms

“anthropocentricism (49-50): a belief that humans are separate from nature, superior to it, and thus the subject we should focus on. Nature has no intrinsic value and is largely ignored or exploited. There can be an absolute anthropocentrism, or a relative one that acknowledges a degree of value of nature.

Bradstreet: Anne Bradstreet, early Puritan (around 1650) writer who was one of the first settlers to exhibit a deep sensitivity to the value and beauty of nature.

Creation spirituality: A spirituality (usually Christian) which places great spiritual value and emphasis on Creation, rather than simply the Creator.

“deism” (49): religious belief that God created the world, established natural laws, and has largely let creation take its course. Accepted by many in the Enlightenment.

“numinous” (49): spiritual, full of spiritual presence

“providential order” (49): History has been given a divine order by God leading to fulfillment.

Quaker: Radical Protestant sect that rejected all rituals and spiritual authority. Emphasis was placed on the individuals direct apprehension of divine will (“Inner Light”), rather than church hierarchy or scripture. This apprehension was achieved by silent meditation. Quakers believed there was “that of God in everyone” and promoted social justice, prison reform, women’s equality, respect for Indians, and abolition of slavery. Humility and nonviolence are a fundamental principles.

1. What kind of style did Bartram use?

2. What did he add to the scientific study of the natural world? What did he combine with the objective observation of nature?

3. What kind of spirituality did he exhibit in his writings about nature?

4. How was Quakerism manifested in Bartram’s writing?

5. What was his attitude toward nature? How did he feel we should relate to nature?

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