When one thinks of the Civil War era they often don't imagine volcanoes. So this was an interesting idea that they represented this idea of turmoil or social change. Its also interesting how artist included volcanoes in what would be standerd American landscapes. Not only are they visually stunning but they also represented a larger idea. I also find it odd that volcanoes played such a role in the society back then as these metaphors. Volcanoes would be the last thing I would associate with the Civil War.