Environmental Studies/English 244: Japanese Nature Writing

PAPER ON BASHÔ AND NATURE

Your paper on Bashō is an opportunity for you to explore and clarify your understanding of his vision of nature and the role nature had in his literature and his life. It also will give you an opportunity to reflect on the relevance of his view of nature to you personally or to modern American culture.

1. Focus on one overarching topic that includes other sub-topics and themes. For example:

• the creativity of nature and of the artist
• the significance of nature in the context of art as a spiritual Way
• the relationship between nature and culture (or, more specifically, literature)
• the different notions of “oneness” and interrelationship
• the journey as symbol and practice
• sabi and nature
• his views of time and its relevance to nature
• Bashō’s cosmology and ontology—the structure & processes of nature
• the relationship between Bashô’s view of nature and contemporary scientific ecology
• the relationship between Bashô’s view of nature and contemporary environmental philosophy
• Bashō and American nature writing.

2. Explore the topic by highlighting and probing one overarching issue and the various sub-issues and problematics involved. In doing so, be open to the ambiguity of the topic and the issues, and consider multiple possible interpretations. MUCH OF THE SUCCESS OF THE PAPER DEPENDS ON THE SHARPNESS OF YOUR FOCUS ON ISSUES.

• Examples (concerning nature and culture/literature): For Bashō, how is nature a part of culture and culture part of nature? Are there ways they are different? What are the sources of culture and how are they related to nature? What is a “barbarian” and “beast” for Bashō, and how are they related to nature? What is the significance of zōka for his view of culture? How is his view influenced by but different from the views of nature found in classical Japanese poetry? How are they related to traditional Western views of nature and culture? Can they be adapted to contemporary views of nature?

3. In exploring your issue, engage in close analyses of particular passages: hokku, travel journals, haibun.

4. Critical use of primary and secondary sources. These are used to support and illustrate your interpretations (especially when a quotation is given). They also serve as views to critique or expand on; you should critically engage the readings. In general, the more sources used the better. You should become familiar with the other sources on reserve and use them if they are relevant.

5. Bring innovative insight to the topic and issues by probing issues and going beyond the reading and class discussions.

6. Demonstrate excellence in writing, including unity of the paper as a whole and of each paragraph, good style, clear thinking, correct grammar and spelling, proper citation, etc.

Format
The paper is to be 6-8 pages, typed, double-spaced, one inch margins, with proper notes (text-, foot-, or endnotes) and bibliography. The final version must include your first drafts (with peer editing comments) and an evaluation of each of your peer editors. See syllabus for due dates.

*** Late papers are not acceptable. Plan ahead. ***

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