Group class responses, ENG 372, 943

To graduate student responses to Irving

Poetry of William Cullen Bryant.

-The "To a Waterfowl" poem gave the impression that all creatures are made closer to God by being independent and an observer of Nature. Our way to God is through the observation of Nature, as stated in the "Forest Hymm" we become close and a part of Nature by understanding how Nature works and not doing anything that may be incompatible to that cycle. (Ariniko O'Meara, Gil Hodges, Natalie Regensberg)

 -In the 4th stanza Bryant connects the waterfowl with god, as god is the power that teaches the bird how to fly, but does'nt dictate his path. In the last stanza Bryant relates his own experience to the bird's, showing how they are both divinely guided through life. Bryant's God is a father like figure e.g. shows direction but does'nt force you down a specific path. (Wayne, Amy, Donna, Ian, Jennifer)

 Bryant is saying in the last stanza that God directs nature or at least has a hand in the process. If nature be made of God than it is surely good. What God makes(nature) is far more lasting and beautiful than anything man has made. This notion of the spiritual and worshipful sense of nature is certainly Romantic and much more so than Irving.I especially liked the lines 

    My heart is awed within me when I think 
    Of the great miracle that goes on,
    In silence, round me the perpetual work
    Of thy creation,finished, yet renewed
The view of nature and God as both in the eternal sense is a strong connection. Through his view of nature he gets a better understanding of the power and creativity of God. He is much more the romantic in his passionate and flowery descriptions of events and musings. ( CHRIS WHITE)

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