Abstract
Cape Cod has generated one of the largest bodies of regional literature in America. A predominant feature of this literature has been a strong attention to the land and nature and to the ways they affect human character and society. The Cape's written literature spans nearly 400 years and even connects back to the earlier oral narratives of native Americans. During this time the land itself has undergone major ecological changes. These changes have been strongly reflected in Cape Cod literature. This paper introduces Cape Cod writing with a particular focus on the interplay between the physical landscape of the Cape and the imaginations of its writers. It discusses some of the efforts of Cape writers to care for and preserve the land. Finally, it considers Cape nature writing from the wider perspective of recent developments in America and Japanese nature writing.
