Aline Kim Writing Assignment 01

The landscape of America has been an important factor in defining American history and

identity. Part of this identity has derived from the notion of a frontier, which has constantly

driven the American people to explore and expand into new territories. In the past, Americans

believed the unexplored frontier was never-ending – endless in the space to be occupied and

endless in the potential for the Americans to develop. By exploring and conquering the lands

westward of the original American settlements, a new American identity began to form – that of

the seemingly endless American beauty. Although the once unexplored frontier has changed with

the settlement of the colonists, the landscape continues to be sublime. It still appears to be an

endless frontier that invites exploration and serves as America’s pride – quite like the wildlife

sanctuary I saw before my eyes on the hike.

From the point where I stood to look out to the wildlife sanctuary, I got the illusion of a

never-ending landscape. I saw the lush, bright green rolling hills – a common feature when

describing the American landscape - that seemed to roll on forever. The trees that lined a path on

the right side of the picture and the mountains and utility poles that crossed over from the left

side seem to narrow into a single point, creating a linear perspective. Although a large tree hid

the point of intersection, I could imagine how there would be more trees and more mountains

behind, giving the image that the landscape would go on indefinitely. I was able to understand

why the Americans in the past were so mesmerized to this land. In effect, the illusion that is

created defines the American landscape in how aspiring and incredible it can be seen through the

human eyes.

The unnaturalness of the field, as it seemed mowed and maintained to remain relatively

similar heights throughout, added to the beauty of the landscape. From my perspective, this field

added to the aesthetics of the landscape in the way it moved with the Dao, the Chinese word for

the Way. It was “natural” in the way it swayed against the breeze, the way the flowers grew

pointed towards the direction of the sun, and the way it seemed to provide habitats for the

smallest organisms. It also seemed strategically nurtured to add to the illusion of infinity. The

unnatural field and the utility poles further back in the picture is an example of the change in the

American frontier. This entire field looks as though it was at one point covered in trees; with the

settlement of pioneers, however, the trees were eventually logged for fuel and settlement space.

Humans also engineered and placed in the utility poles, lining them parallel to the mountain

ranges in order to make it look as natural and least artificial as possible. The artificial field and

the utility poles exemplify the ability of the Americans to adapt and conquer the frontier.

However unnatural the poles and perhaps the human manipulation of this landscape, the

landscape is still sublime for the emotional experience. Sitting under the shade of a tree and

staring out to the landscape, I could hear the wind blowing, the leaves rustling, the crickets and

the birds chirping, and the mosquitoes buzzing. The impression that the landscape is limitless

arouses a feeling of awe. The human aspect of the landscape does not deduct from the emotional

beauty because it is not the focus of the view, but rather a minor touch that proves the formation

of an American identity through the empowerment of people over the natural environment. The

conquering of nature and the subsequent appreciation of nature became a part of the American

identity because the people were able to do three things: “Veni, Vidi, Vici,” which is Latin for “I

came, I saw, I conquered.” The American people went westward, saw the frontier, explored and

conquered the frontier, in order to preserve the idea that the opportunities was infinite as was the

landscape.

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