"Civilness and Wilderization:" The Confusing, Entwined Terror of Wilderness and Civilization in Stewart O'Nan's "A Prayer for the Dying"

Exploring the interplay between civilization and wilderness in American literature, this paper delves into Frederick Jackson Turner's analysis of the Frontier's role in shaping American identity. It argues that the harsh realities of nature influenced the American character, presenting wilderness as both a lawless space and a site of individual exile, exemplified by Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter. The discussion highlights how wilderness symbolizes both danger and personal freedom, reflecting broader themes in American history and literature.