Introduction

I have asked three Romantic writers and three Victorian writers to state their cases for what makes them the most influential on the environmentalist movement. In other words, which writer is the most “green”? The Romantic period of British literature was known for its glorification of nature, with some writers elevating nature to a spiritual level. Our ENGL 2252 instructor asserts this point in her January 22nd class lecture notes:

“Some (Romantic) writers tried to get people to look at things from the point of view of other natural beings and some tried to reinvest nature with mystery and wonder, even with holiness” (Hanson).

The Victorian period of British Literature is known more for its earnest, moral writings, but some writers of the period continued to elevate nature and connect it with strong human emotions. Charles Darwin also published On the Origin of Species during the Victorian period, which led many Brits to reevaluate the power of nature and reconsider beliefs about nature’s subjection to men. We will hear from six authors with unique perspectives on the appreciation of nature, and you can decide for yourself which writer is the most “green.”