Humanities and Arts
More than a Feeling Why the Lewis and Clark Expedition Did not Experience “the Sublime” at the Great Divide when Crossing the American Continent
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Heinz Tschachler
Heinz Tschachler
English and American Studies at the Heinz Tschachler University of Klagenfurt
Abstract
When in the early summer of 1805 Meriwether Lewis for the first time sights the great mountains of the American West, he merely reports "an august spectacle." The word "august" was not then an aesthetic category, nor did it usually describe visual contact with landscape. Categories used for these purposes were the picturesque and the sublime. Whereas there are numerous examples of the picturesque in the journals of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the sublime draws a blank. In my contribution, I will be offering several reasons for the absence of description in the sublime mode: (1) Like their contemporaries, Lewis and Clark held nature up to the yardstick of utility, calculating the agricultural potential of the land or the navigability of a river. (2) The Lewis and Clark expedition was a military expedition, sent out by President Jefferson not to stand in awe at sublime grandeur but to document a useful landscape. (3) Seeing mountains as sublime was essentially a matter of an individual imagination. The Corps of Discovery was a group, whose success depended on cooperation. Hence, the individual imagination must take a back seat. (4) The actual experience of hardship and adversity during the crossing of the Rockies would have obviated any description in the "grand style." (5) Finally, the Corps of Discovery was not even prepared to encounter the great mountains of the West, expecting instead gentle rolling hills that would enable an easy portage to the Columbia River and, if anything, call for picturesque description.
Key Questions
What is the main argument of the article?
The article argues that the journals of the Lewis and Clark expedition lack descriptions of the sublime, despite the grandeur of the American West. It offers several reasons for this absence, including the expedition's utilitarian focus, its military nature, the emphasis on group cooperation, the hardships faced, and the explorers' unpreparedness for the mountainous terrain.
Why does the article focus on the absence of the sublime in the Lewis and Clark journals?
The article focuses on this absence because the sublime was a prominent aesthetic category in the early 19th century, yet it is notably missing from the expedition's descriptions of the American West. This absence provides insight into the expedition's priorities and mindset.
What aesthetic categories were commonly used to describe landscapes at the time?
The two primary aesthetic categories were the picturesque and the sublime. The picturesque focused on charming, scenic views, while the sublime emphasized awe-inspiring, overwhelming natural grandeur.
How did the utilitarian focus of the expedition influence their descriptions of nature?
Lewis and Clark evaluated nature based on its utility, such as agricultural potential or river navigability. This practical approach left little room for aesthetic reflections like the sublime, which required a more imaginative and emotional engagement with the landscape.
Why did the military nature of the expedition discourage descriptions of the sublime?
As a military expedition commissioned by President Jefferson, the primary goal was to document and map the landscape for practical purposes, not to engage in aesthetic contemplation. The mission's focus on utility and documentation overshadowed the potential for sublime descriptions.
How did the group dynamic of the Corps of Discovery affect their descriptions?
The Corps of Discovery was a collaborative group, and its success depended on teamwork and shared goals. The individual imagination required to appreciate the sublime was secondary to the collective effort of exploration and survival.
What role did hardship play in the absence of sublime descriptions?
The physical and emotional challenges of crossing the Rocky Mountains made it difficult for the explorers to experience or describe the landscape in terms of the sublime. Their focus was on survival and overcoming adversity, not on aesthetic appreciation.
Why were Lewis and Clark unprepared for the mountainous terrain of the West?
The explorers expected gentle rolling hills that would allow for an easy portage to the Columbia River. The reality of the rugged, towering mountains was a surprise, and their unpreparedness further discouraged descriptions of the sublime.
What does the absence of the sublime reveal about the expedition's priorities?
The absence of the sublime highlights the expedition's focus on practical goals, such as mapping, resource assessment, and survival. It reflects a mindset oriented toward utility and documentation rather than aesthetic or philosophical reflection.
How does the article contribute to understanding the Lewis and Clark expedition?
The article provides a nuanced perspective on the expedition by examining the absence of the sublime in their journals. It sheds light on the explorers' priorities, challenges, and the cultural context of their mission, offering a deeper understanding of their experiences.
