§
Radcliffe introduces
the reader to the notion of travel as a form of medicinal therapy (p. 25)
In
Radcliffe’s novel travel encourages a more active engagement with nature.
This suggests if nature can reflect the human psychology then perhaps
it can affect human physicality.
§
Travel also represents
the happier passions of St. Aubert through botany exploration.
§
Travel in the novel
can also be interpreted as an ascendance into nature, creating a spiritual
union whereby nature takes on an active agency with the characters (Example
p. 36)
§
Travel is also viewed
as an opportunity to meet “the stranger” (Example p. 34,35)
In
Coleridge’s poem Frost at Midnight the narrator meets “the stranger”
(who affects the main character), in passive contemplation of the natural
element of fire. However, in Radcliffe’s novel “the stranger” is introduced
while the main characters are actively engaging in the effort of travel/nature.
Since the stranger can be viewed as a catalyst of some sort in both these
instances, are certain situational and psychological components necessary
for meeting “the stranger” and causing the catalyst event, whatever that may
be, dependent upon the active or passive state of the narrator/characters?
Paintings of French 18th Century Nature
Jean-Honoré
Fragonard
French, 1732 – 1806
Jean-Honoré
Fragonard
The Swing, probably c. 1765
Samuel H. Kress Collection