Engberg-Pedersen (2017) Noyes 10 Goethe and the Cartographic Representation of Nature around 1800

Overview of Elective Affinities

• Theme: Exploration of marriage, desire, and human nature in context of science, particularly cartography and chemistry.
• Characters: Edward, Charlotte, Ottilie, Captain; their dynamics re-evaluated upon Ottilie’s arrival.

Central Questions

• Nature vs. Nurture: Are relationships predetermined (like chemical bonds) or influenced by societal conventions?
• Human Desire: Can human desire be mapped mathematically and is it subject to obscure passions?

Significance of Cartography in the Novel

• Maps as Objects: The Captain's map symbolizes the tension between mathematical order and natural chaos.
• Mapping Nature: Edward’s act of defacing the map highlights desire’s role in human motivations, contrasting objective mapping with personal aspirations.

Dual Rationalities**

• Instrumental vs. Aesthetic: The Captain’s cartography serves pragmatic purposes (ownership) against Edward's impulsive, aesthetic motivations.
• Conflict between Business & Leisure: The dialogue reflects tensions of societal obligations versus personal desires.

Themes of Representation and Ownership

• Desire & Mapping: Edward’s desire reshapes the meaning of the map, uncovering the imperfections of representation.
• Legitimacy of Possession: Questions arise regarding how mapping correlates with territorial ownership and human relationships.

Conclusion**

• Objectivity vs. Desire: Goethe illustrates the inherent instability in mapping, suggesting that objective representations in cartography cannot escape the influence of human desire.
• Broader Implication: The interplay between structured representation and individual desires questions the nature of truth in scientific and literary discourse.