Contrasting Poets Lawrence and Shapiro in Their Views of Nature

Julie Gibson

        Throughout the history of literature, poetic views of nature has evolved
through time. One of the most differing eras is the twentieth century. With it's
non-classical views, the twentieth century is one of the most influential eras.
While the Victorian era practiced traditional values, the twentieth century
influences techniques of love and the loss of the beauty in nature. Poets of the
same century have multiple views, many differing. Two major twentieth century
poets are D.H. Lawrence and Karl Shapiro. D.H. Lawrence loves and is in touch
with nature, while Karl Shapiro cares more of war and satires of government, not
giving much thought to nature. Even though both poets share and differ in views,
both are twentieth century poets.
The twentieth century lasted from 1900-1939. It began at the dawn of the
new century and in England, is set by the death of Queen Victoria. Reading
attracted a large audience because of the tremendous growth in education
opportunities (Granner, 616). One major downfall and factor of the twentieth
century was World War I. This was had pulled up new roots that were "buried in
the past," causing multiple conflicts between nations (Granner, 611). The war
reflects   the bitterness and troubles put on twentieth century poetry. The poets
wrote of science fiction, anti-war protagonists, and ridicule of authority.
Leading poets in the twentieth century are D.H. Lawrence, James Joyce, Joseph
Conrad, Dylan Thomas, and H.G. Wells.
D.H. Lawrence views on nature are more humanistic, rather than natural.
He loves individuality and "inner self" (Magill, 1686). His writing were pure
because of his adolescent puritan environment (Becker, 5).   D.H. Lawrence,
although in the twentieth century, is a die-hard romantic (Albright, 1).   To
Lawrence, nature was an item of beauty and creativity. He respects nature. In
Lawrence's poem,   "The Sea," he humanizes the sea.