Letters To Luis De Santangel Analysis

The nature of a land reflects the nature of humanity, or so it would seem based on Christopher Columbus’ “Letters to Luis de Santangel” and J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur’s Letters from and American Farmer. Columbus and Crevecoeur share a similar perception of culture and cultivation.
Christopher Columbus’ “Letters to Luis de Santangel” prominently features a vivid description on the topography of the natural landscape. Columbus’ use of descriptive language is symbolic of a wild garden or earthly paradise that needs to be explored, conquered, and cultivated. Through his use of forceful language, Columbus demonstrates a desire for conquering and possessing the natural landscape. Columbus effectively accomplishes his goal through claiming territory …show more content…
As soon as Columbus reaches shore, his exploration goal is to find great cities, towns, or a king but finds “nothing of importance” (36). His perception of this wild landscape is based on the cultural values of a “civilized” world. Upon finding nothing of importance, Columbus focuses on the potential of the land which he describes as, “very fertile to a limitless degree” (36). The landscape provides a sense of awestruck wonder that Columbus acknowledges to be a marvel to withhold, but yet asserts the need to tame the land. The implication of taming the land also effects the original inhabitants of the land. Since Columbus views the natives of the land to be “nothing of importance,” he insinuates that they, like the landscape, need to be tamed.
J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur’s Letters from an American Farmer offers an interpretation on the evolution of the American landscape since the first English exploration of the land that is similar to how Columbus represents his own exploration. Crevecoeur specifically mentions the voyage to America and finding a wild, untampered land that needs cultivation. This thought of how the natural landscape has altered into a civilized landscape is a source of pride for