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Makale Özeti:
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The concept of Nature has always been a focal subject in
different fields of study and scientific researches, ranging from natural
sciences to social ones and, from philosophy to arts and literature. Within
this framework, Nature in North America has thus far attracted numerous
researchers, thinkers, and literary figures starting with the original settlers
of the continent, indigenous (native) peoples, and continuing with
colonists, Puritans, deists, scientists, dark romantics, romantics,
transcendentalists, realists, naturalists etc... In this article, the subject
matter is confined to the conceptual analysis of Nature from early
Puritans to transcendentalists in North America. This article discusses a
conceptualization process of nature from the early Puritans to the
transcendentalists in North America by examining various religious,
cultural, scientific, and literary perspectives. These perspectives helped
the formations of the concepts of nature thus different senses and
perceptions of nature emerged in certain periods according to the
preconceived opinions and imaginations of people. Each dominant
perspective in each period has a significant role in this conceptualization
process of Nature. This kind of evolutionary process is tried to be
discussed through examining specific texts which clearly represent these
certain periods and by making use of ecocriticism.
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