Comparing Individuality and Transcendence in Wordsworth, Tennyson, and

Individuality and Transcendence in Wordsworth, Tennyson, and Joyce The development of the scientific method started a revolution in thought that changed how people viewed the world. Scientists tested theories by creating experiments and carefully observing the results. The vastness of scientific discoveries raised questions about the role of the observer. According to Ralph Koster, the importance of observation in science led to the rise of the individual and an awareness of subjectivity. Society realized that the individual could determine the outcome of an experiment and that people could picture events differently depending on prior experience. In addition to changing the role of the individual, science also changed peoples views on religion. By contemplating experimental results, scientists created rules for how the universe operated. Nature became a knowable force that scientists described in a logical collection of laws. Thus, science took away much of the worlds mystery and changed how people viewed paragon. If the universe operated by rules, it wasnt requisite for God to be involved every moment. God became a clockmaker who started the universe and sat back to let it run. The rise of individuality and changing views on religion resulted in insecurity and isolation. Before the Romantic era, achieving oneness was often thought of as an act of grace given in mysterious moments. God was ineffable, but just. Because science encouraged the clockmaker view of ... ...nity. He embraces it all in a unique vision. Amazingly, in this total embrace, he recovers mystery disoriented in modern civilization. Works Cited Joyce, James. The Dead. The Norton Anthology English Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams. New York WW Norton, 2000. 2240-68. Koster, Ralph. Seeking the Beyond 29 March 3003. http//www.legendmud.org/Ralph/papers/transcendence.html Wordsworth, William. Preface to Lyrical Ballads. The Norton Anthology English Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams. New York WW Norton, 2000. 238-50 Wordsworth, William. Lines sedate a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey. The Norton Anthology English Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams. New York WW Norton, 2000. 235-237.