Legends in the Landscape: Myth as Material Culture at Dartmouth College

摘要: Abstract: Dartmouth College, a member of the elite Ivy League, was founded in 1769 Hanover, New Hampshire. is famous for its strong sense community and tradition. Its traditions arose from intertwining history legend are often evident material form College's cultural landscape. This paper examines Dartmouth's Old Pine, purportedly mystical tree early days College that died 1895. The preserved stump Pine subsequently transitioned natural feature to artifact. grew remains Class Day ritual erection Bartlett Tower. interplay between these artifacts landscape contributed development particular place at College. Through years, social changes generated controversies over class, racism, exclusion reference Day, which consequently modified meanings rituals traditionally associated with Pine. argues that, despite changes, old elements socioeconomic class remain embodied culture aids defining identity less than one purported historical record folk tradition.Key words: culture, ritual, legends myths, landscape, elites, CollegeIntroductionTucked away upon hill more secluded area campus setting known as Park, finds memorialized stump, an stone tower, statue Robert Frost, various plaques on rocks, amphitheater. On this rests (alternately Lone Pine) Tower, site houses some most important culture. To day it serves spot graduation ceremony has involved many generations graduates, but also been subject considerable controversy. folklore surrounding mysterious captivating trademarks. Perhaps intriguing fact once standing clearing cut down 100 years ago. But considering lore involving could almost forget no longer stands, memory still lingers landscape.Dartmouth alumnus anthologist Graham (1990, 214) explains seemingly characteristics Pine:[T]his glade [where pine was] echoes full wonderful, benign magic touches even coolest contemporary cynics. petrified preservatives, all sentinel symbol founding; yet, present, year, like Druidic altar, focus profoundly moving moment communal life each successive class.Commenting significance trees broadly, geographer Kit Anderson (2003, 3-5) professes big factors experience place, reflecting identity, notions sacred, concepts nature, relations, individual or group memory; applies directly trace origin requires referral where discovers tale several other components involves complex (Graham 1990, 214).The factual basis begins Congregationalist minister Eleazar Wheelock (1711-1779), who Hampshire, west-central part state along Connecticut River. …