On The Interactiveness Of Ruskin's Views On Nature And Culture

Many of John Ruskin's works have touched upon ecological issues. These works and his ecological thinking can be looked upon as his participation in the tradition of romantic ecology. Deeply influenced by Wordsworth's romantic interest in nature, Ruskin develops his idea of how man should look at and understand nature in its own right. He builds on the foundation laid by Wordsworth and goes further in ecological thinking by opening up a social dimension and engaging more directly with the society and human beings. Meanwhile, as one of the most important figures in the development of the notion of "Culture", he also gives expression to his concern on the division of man and its disintegration with nature driven by industrial revolution, which poses great threat on natural environment. This thesis traces the development of Ruskin's idea on nature and culture in the context of the evolution of romantic ecology and the development of the notion of "Culture". The key part of this thesis is devoted to the close reading of selected works by Ruskin. Based on a careful analysis of his writings from natural and cultural perspectives, it argues that his writings on nature and culture are cross-fertilized. On the one hand, he writes not only to demonstrate the life of nature and its voice, but also to criticize the way of living in the modern society. On the other hand, his legacy of cultural criticism also implies his calls for ecological awareness and his aspiration for the harmony of human relationships to the natural environment and the society as a whole.