The Varieties of Religious Experience · Character
R. M. Bucke
Physician who described his own cosmic consciousness experience.
minor
Also known as Dr. Bucke, Dr. R. M. Bucke, R. M. Bucke
First appearance: Lectures XVI and XVII: Mysticism
R. M. Bucke's tie to Walt Whitman is one of the pressures that moves The Varieties of Religious Experience—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
Psychiatrist who coined 'cosmic consciousness' and described his own experience of it.
R. M. Bucke first appears in 0016 lectures xvi and xvii mysticism.
With Walt Whitman (friendship): Bucke, a psychiatrist, was a devoted friend and biographer of Whitman, and James uses Bucke's accounts of Whitman's cosmic consciousness. With Walt Whitman (friendship): Bucke, a psychiatrist, was a devoted friend and biographer of Whitman, and James uses Bucke's accounts of Whitman's cosmic consciousness.
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Character Web
8 connectionsA slice of how R. M. Bucke sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Friendship
- Other
Character groups
- Wide-Ranging Illustrative Voices
- Exemplars of Religious Experience
- Protagonist
+3 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Alline’s psychological peak occurs as he confronts the utter futility of his own efforts—his seeking, praying,…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Walt Whitman
friendship · positive
Bucke, a psychiatrist, was a devoted friend and biographer of Whitman, and James uses… How this plays out →
- Walt Whitman
friendship · positive
Bucke, a psychiatrist, was a devoted friend and biographer of Whitman, and James uses… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See R. M. Bucke in Lectures XVI and XVII: MysticismIn the story
R. M. Bucke appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See R. M. Bucke in Lectures XVI and XVII: Mysticism