Before I can accurately answer if the article Roughing It represents a pre-interstate treatment of sacred space, I need to create a clear definition as to what a sacred space means to me. For some a sacred space involves a religious aspect while for others it is simply a place of solitude. Another definition of sacred space is through the way one appreciates the different areas that they are passing through. Primeau discusses how many “Americans have treated the highway as sacred space” for many years.
Twain represents this feeling by saying “I coveted his distinction and his distinction and his financial splendor, but particularly and especially the long, strange journey he was going to make, and the curious new world he was going to explore” (Twain, p.1). I think this represents a pre-interstate treatment because Twain talks about the strange journey that lays before him. I agree with this as being a sacred space since Twain is discussing the journey of traveling to the unknown. I think that even though traveling to the unknown can be scary to some people, others can find peace in the journey that is unknown.
Another aspect that Twain discusses is the fact that he and the Secretary carried guns; “The Secretary had a small-sized Colt’s revolver strapped around him for protection against the Indians, and to guard against accidents he carried it uncapped.” With this description Twain provides an image that in order to be comfortable within a sacred space one needs to have a sense that they are protected from the wilderness or the great unknown. Twain also discusses how there was nothing for miles on this trial but every once in a while there was “a low hut or two in the distance.” This statement provides a sense that traveling to the west there was nothing to see except for the hills and plains so the silence of the passengers, conductor, and stage-driver provided a quiet serenity.
I think Roughing It provides a good example of a pre-interstate of sacred space. This can be said because the different scenes presented by Twain shown what makes a place sacred, such as the absence of people, buildings, or even life in general. While living in a world with interstates now, we so often forget the importance of appreciating the things around us and instead trying to accomplish different tasks as fast as possible. I think that Twain also shows the importance of having a sacred place that can help keep people grounded in life.
Smart identification of the key components of the question, Katie...well-played...
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI liked how you focused on the defining what a sacred place is because there is a lot of different examples people would say was their sacred place. I agree that I think Twain finds a way to make everything in his travels so interesting. I feel like "Roughing It" was Twain's way of his scared place because he enjoyed the small things. This also demonstrates the different ways people see a place as sacred. Twain ran into a few troubles on his journey, but he still made the best of it!
I loved the part that you said about a sacred place is a place that you feel safe because I completely agree. My sacred place is at family gatherings during the holidays. I just feel like nothing can change my mood from happy to anything else. When i mention to feel safe, I don't necessarily mean someone is going to physically harm me, but nobody can ruin my mood. I'm always my happiest when we are all together.
ReplyDeleteKatie, I think you make an interesting connection between sacred space being safe and the fear of the unknown that comes with traveling. While it's important to be safe and be aware of where you are and what you're doing, it's also important to be open to new experiences and a little of the unknown, regardless of how scary they may seem at the time.
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