It was very interesting to me to learn that our current cultural views of nature as sublime is a relatively recent view. It was surprising to read in The American Sublime that such nature usually did not invoke such an awe inspiring emotion in the masses even in the late 1700s. No doubt, throughout history there have been those here and there who appreciated the majesty of nature in all it's splendor as Jefferson did in his description of the Natural Bridge-it however, was just not a common experience.
I am surprised at how quickly the sentiment towards natural wonders changed in the public eye-within just a few decades. David Nye's explanation for this really makes sense to me. Nye suggests that because America was a brand new country that did not have the typical types of things that build a national culture ("a royal family, national church, long history..") that Americans turned to the landscape as a source of national character.
I wonder if this act of turning their eyes to the landscape in search of national pride was a huge aid in opening their eyes to a spiritual experience and appreciation for the sights that some had just simply not noticed before. My impression is that the sublime emotions of nationalism and religious experience were somewhat blended for many as they thought to themselves: "What a great God we have!" while simultaneously thinking, "What a great country we live in!" It could explain a lot about how our sense of "One Nation under God" came to be.
-Michelle Finch
This is a great post! I also think that the American people turning to the country's landscape to find some sort of national character really worked to build a more united nation. Although they have been surrounded by the same sights in the past, really paying attention to the beauty of the views would have really "opened their eyes" (as you have mentioned) to how beautiful their landscape and country really are.
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