Intheintroductionoftheessay"Nature,"Emersonarguesthatallthequestionsthatpeoplehave developedabouttheuniverse,includingthoseregardingtheconnectionsbetweenGod,natureand humanity,haveanswersthatcomethroughexperiencinglifeandtheworldBecauseeachpersonisa uniquemanifestationofdivinecreation,eachpersonhasadifferentkeytosolvingtheuniverse's
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"Nature"isanessaywrittenbyRalphWaldoEmerson,andpublishedbyJamesMunroeand Companyin1836.[1]"Nature"hasatotalof41pages.Theessayconsistsofeightparts:Nature, Commodity,Beauty,Language,Discipline,Idealism,SpiritandProspects.Eachparttakesa differentperspectiveontherelationshipbetweenhumansandnature.Inthisessay,Emerson emphasizesthefoundationoftranscendentalism,"areligiousandphilosophicalmovementthat developedduringthelate1820sand30sintheEasternregionoftheUnitedStatesasprotestagainst thegeneralstateofspiritualityand,inparticular,thestateofintellectualism."[2]
"Transcendentalismsuggeststhatthedivine,orGod,suffusesnature,andsuggeststhatrealitycanbe understoodbystudyingnature."[3]"TranscendentalismiscloselyrelatedtoUnitarianism,the dominantreligiousmovementinBostonattheearlynineteenthcentury.Transcendentalismevolved asanorganicconsequenceoftheUnitarianemphasisonfreeconscienceandthevalueofintellectual reason."[4]Emersondividesnatureintofourstages:commodity,beauty,language,anddiscipline. ThesedefinethewaysbywhichhumansusenaturefortheirbasicneedsThehistoricalsignificance of"Nature"wasthattranscendentalismclubledthecelebrationoftheAmericanexperimentasone oftheindividualismandself–reliance.[5]
Emerson'spurposeintheessay"Nature"istolayoutandattempttosolveanabstractproblem:that humansdo
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NaturebyRalphWaldoEmerson.ItiswitharatherinterestingstatementthatNature,Emerson's firstessay,opens.Intheintroduction,Emersonassertsthat"wehavenoquestionstoaskwhichare unanswerable"Then,ifwetakewondertomeanaperpetualquestioningoftheworldandourplace init,thisstatementeitherdeniestheexistenceofwonderorredefinesthenotion.Nature,therefore mightbecomeanewnarrativeofwonderwithitsownformandowncomplexities.Theuseofthe wordnatureisalsoinitselfinterestingInthisbriefpresentationIshallturntoshowhowdoes Emersondefinewonderandwhatisthenatureofwonder?Intheintroduction,Emersongivesusa hintastowhatwonderisormightbe.Bydeclaringthathisageis"retrospective,"Emerson denouncesthecurrenttendencyofhiscontemporariestogobacktotheshowmorecontent Foritisinnaturethatweareexposedto"theperpetualpresenceofthesublime."Whenwegazeat thestarsitisthenthatwebecomeawareofthedistinctionbetweenthematerialworldandthe naturalworld.Thetruthsoftheworldcanalsobefoundinthetumultofcitiesbutonlytothetrue loverofnature.Naturethereforebecomesthesymboloftheunityofdivinity,itisthedemonstration andrepresentationoftheever–presenceofGodNatureisthustherepresentationoftruthand perfection,andoneonlyhastogotonaturetoretainhisoriginalsenseofwonder.Naturebecomes anencompassingwholeabletoexplainthemysteriesofthe ...Getmorecontent...
"Inthewoods,wereturntoreasonandfaith.ThereIfeelthatnothingcanbefallmeinlife,–no disgrace,nocalamity(leavingmemyeyes),whichnaturecannotrepair.Standingonthebare ground,–myheadbathedbytheblitheairandupliftedintoinfinitespace,–allmeanegotism vanishes.Ibecomeatransparenteyeball.Iamnothing.Iseeall.ThecurrentsoftheUniversalBeing circulatethroughme;IampartorparticleofGod"
–RalphWaldoEmerson,Nature(1836)
Inhisessay,"Nature",RalphWaldoEmersondescribesman'srelationshiptonatureandtoGod. Earlyon,hedescribeshimselfasa"transparenteyeball."Inthispassage,heexpresseshisviewthat natureispurity.Emersonbelievesbeinginpurenatureshowmorecontent Manappreciatesthebeautyandpayshomagetotheonewhocreatedit.Emersonthensays"ThereI feelthatnothingcanbefallmeinlife,–nodisgrace,nocalamity(leavingmemyeyes),which naturecannotrepair."Heseemstofeelatonewithnature.Emersonseestheserenityandpeaceand realizeshowinsignificantallofhislife'sproblemsare.Hebelievesthatthereisnoproblemnatureis incapableofremedying.Asthesayinggoes,"Timehealsallwounds."Emerson'swordsseemto echothat.Heseemsalmostcompletelycarelessaboutallhisformerpettyconcerns.Hisnextremark, "Standingonthebareground,–myheadbathedbytheblitheairandupliftedintoinfinitespace,–allmeanegotismvanishes."Hefeelsfreeofthebarssocietyhasconstructed,heisfreeofall concernsandworries.the"infinitespace"hedescribesindicatesaplacewithnorestrictions,where hecanbeasheoughtto,toseethegloryandmajestyofnatureEmersonalsonotesthatselfishness dissolvesasthefigurativebigpictureismadevisible.Again,beinginthissituationenablesamanto realizehisinsignificanceasasinglebeing."Ibecomeatransparenteyeball.Iamnothing.Iseeall." ThismetaphorembodiesthebasisofEmerson'sentirephilosophy.Inthissentence,hefully indicateshisuniqueoutlook–this"transparenteyeball"–meansthatheis
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InRalphWaldoEmerson's"Nature"andmyownpersonalexperiences,webothdiscoverthe sublimeinmomentsofsilenceandengagementwithnature.Theseeventsinwhichwecannotfully describeinwordsbutjustappreciatethebeautyarethesublime,andnature,whichEmersonandI encounter,operatesasanextensionofGod.Inthebeginningof"Nature,"Emersondemandsthat peoplefindtheirownrelationshipwiththeuniverse,andIneverreallyhadapersonalencounter withGodeventhoughIwenttoCatholicschoolmywholelife.AsEmersonprogressestohisthesis anddepictshisenjoymentofnaturethroughsilence,Irememberedmyexperiencewiththerelicof theTrueCrossandhowmymindbecamesilentandthoughtlessThroughpersonalshowmore content...
HeenjoysthesurroundinglandscapeandexchangewithGod:"Myheadbathedbytheblitheairand upliftedintoinfinitespace,–allmeanegotismvanishes.Ihavebecomeatransparenteye–ball.Iam nothing.Iseeall"(Emerson511).Emersondoesnottalkorallowhimselftolosefocusofthebeauty surroundinghimInstead,heturnsintoa"transparenteye–ball"andexperiencesthesublimeby permittingnaturetotriggeranemotionalresponseinhim.Inasimilarexperienceinmiddleschool, myteachertoldtheclassthattherelicoftheTrueCrosswascomingtoourschool.Whentheclass headedovertothechapel,Idevelopedaplanofsayingmymemorizedprayers.AssoonasIkneeled infrontoftherelic,IfoundmyselfatalossforwordsandfeltanintimateconnectionwithGod. ThroughoutmywholeexperiencewiththeCross,Iremainedsilentanddidnotfeeldistractedbythe manypeopleintheroomwithme.IrealizenowthatthissublimeconnectionwithGoddevelopeda truthwithinmethatsilenceandlisteningtonature'sresponsestomewerethebestwaytoprayfor meandtoclearmymindofstressBothEmersonandmypointsaboutsilencedonotmeanthat everyoneshouldprayandreflectwithoutwordsbutrathertodiscoverone'spersonaltruthby clearinghisorhermindofdistractions.Thisexperiencecreatedmyfreedom–aremovalofdistant, indifferentwordstomeandacreationofpeaceandbeautifulreflectionin
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RalphWaldoEmerson's"Nature"ThispaperdiscussesfourliteraryelementsinRalphWaldo Emerson'swork,entitled"Nature".Itisanessaythatattemptstomakepeopleestablishadeeper bondwithnatureandacceptitforwhatitis.Mencontinuallybecomesbusywithdailylivesbecause ofmodernadvancementsandincreasingnumberofendeavors.Intheprocess,theytendtoignore natureandforgetgivingbacktoitbybeingungratefulofitsgenerosityVariousperspectiveswere discussedintheessay.Throughtheliterature'sview,Emersonhavefoundedtheideasof transcendentalism,whichisasystematicbeliefthatappreciatesthebeautyofnaturethrough divinityItsstatusisemphasizedasbeingmergedwiththecreatorTranscendentalismstressesthat conceptsofrealitycanonlybeunderstoodthroughdeepstudiesandreflectioninrelationtonature. Throughthekeyideasmentionedandexplainedintheessay"Nature",thispaperaimstoanalyze Emerson'sworkbyanalyzingfourliteraryelementsintheliterature,whichincludessetting,tone, styleandpointofview.Oneoftheimportantliteraryelementissetting.Itdepictstheplaceandtime inwhichtheworkisplacedTheessay'ssettingissituatedinthereflectiveviewofEmerson regardingnature.Althoughtheauthorjustprovidedhisthoughtsregardingthesubjectmatter,he attemptedtoputthereaderinthesettingofnaturetocompletelycomprehendthereflectionsinhis ideas.Hemakesthis
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Ashumanbeingswetakeeverythingforgranted.Wethinknotofthestrugglethatnatureenduresto blossomintosomethingthatwecanfinddivine.Nordowethinkaboutthehoursandpassionthata writermayhaveputintothatpieceofliteraturewepickupandreadWeareexpectantcreatures whocomplainwhenit'stoohotoutside,noteventhinkingthat,thatwarmthiskeepingusalive,or wegetmadwhenitrainstoomuch,notappreciatingitforkeepingnatureflourishing.RalphWaldo Emersontalksofhumans'disdainfornatureandhowdetachedwehavebecomeinhispiece "Nature."We'lltakealookatEmerson'sopiniononthelackofcompassionandawethatmankind hasfortheworldaroundthem.
Naturewasnotuncommontobeashowmorecontent
Emersonmakesitveryclearthatitisabsurdthatweareungratefulforthefloraarounduswhenitis neverunkindorunforgivingWhereasthebusyindustrializedworldwilleatyoualive,thecalm invitationofnaturewillacceptyougladlyinitspresenceeverytime.Hewritesabouthowitisrare foradultstobeinaweofnature,andthatweneedtopreserveasenseofchildhoodwithinus.The reasonbeing,thatchildrenaremorepronetothediscoveryoftheirsurroundingsTheyhavenotyet becomeaccustomedtotreesblowinginthewind,orwatergatheringontheground.Theyarenot annoyedbythesoundsofbirds,andholdnodisgustyetforcrawlingcreaturesTheyarejustsimply inwonderstruckbyitall,asifitissomethingtoogoodtobetrue;thisisthevirtuethatEmerson wantsusalltoholddear.Asasociety,wehavegottensooutoftouchwiththeworldasitshouldbe, andnowit'sallabouttryingtomakeeverything"better"TheSwarthmoreCollegeofEnvironmental Studiessaysthat"Itishardtoarguethatindustrializationhasnotbroughthumansagreaterabilityto manipulatetheirenvironment("IndustrializationandtheEnvironment")."Thisistheverythingthat Emersonisactingagainst.Wehavetogetbackintouchwithnature,becausethenwewillfind ourselvesclosertoGod.Asitstandsrightnow,itseemswearealltryingtoplayourown"gods." We ...Getmorecontent...
Journal#1InRalphWaldoEmerson'sNature,thereligious,philosophical,andnatureloving impressionsoftranscendentalismresumetheendorsementofindividuality,butnow,itdistinguishes itselfbyincludingnatureintotheforefrontofcreationThroughnature,manreceivesthetenetsof truthbyreflectingupontheconnectionbetweenmanandnature.Transcendentalismrecognizesthat humanspiritualityisreflectedinnature.Thewisdomofhumansisdeepenedby"findingoutallher perfections"(para2),and"theflowers,theanimals,[and]themountains"reflectwisdomby empoweringthe"spiritofinfancy"(para2).Emersonregardedchildhoodasthepinnacleofwisdom becauseinfancyisdesignedtohaveacarefree,raptresponsetonature.Their"inwardandoutward senses"(para2)areinsynctoappreciatethebeautyofnaturethatalsoresidesinhumans.Through Emerson'sintrospection,hediscoveredthat"manbeholdssomewhatasbeautifulashisownnature" (para2)fromwatchingthetranquilhorizoninsolitude,andthewordsomewhatsuggeststhatbeauty issubjectivetothebeholder'seyesevenifthesamebeautyispresentedinnature.Thisiswherethe ideaofinfancyprovesagaintoresultingreaterappreciationforbeauty,andEmersonprovidesan exampleofhow"naturealwayswearsthecolorsofthespirit"(para4)Amanwhosespiritis saddenedbycalamityandgriefviewsnaturewithcontemptbecauseitfestersinhisheart(para4),
Naturehasmanyelementstoitthathavesymbolicmeaningindiversewaystoeveryperson.Oneof themanysymbolsofnatureisthesun,whichtomanypeopleit'ssymbolicofpower.Whenwesee it,wenoticethatwithoutthesuntherewouldbenolifeonourplanet.OneyoungboyfromBoston, Massachusetts,RalphWaldoEmersonwasoneofthemostwell–knownwritersforthesymbolic meaningsofnatureandwiththatbecameaninspirationalwriterduringhistimeHisideasand writingshelpedshapethepathsofotherwriterslikeHenryDavidThoreauandMargaretFuller. Whilewriting,Emersonwasusingthethemeofspiritualitytore–imaginethedivineassomething largeandvisible,heaccomplishedthisbywritinganessaycalled"Nature"Thisshowmore content...
InEmersonstatesthat,"thereisnoobjectsofoulthatintenselightwillnotmakebeautiful"(186). WhatEmersonistryingtosayinthissentenceisthatlightcanmakeeventhemostimpureobjects beautiful.Emersongoesontodescribethecharacteristicsofbeautyintothreedistinctforms. AccordingtoEmersonthefirstformis"naturehasmedicinalandrestorativepowers"(186)What Emersonisattemptingtosayhereisthatwhenweopenourselvesuptothenature,tousas individualswhohavebeenleftvulnerabletotoxicenvironments,natureisabletocureourmindand soul.Oneexampleofhownaturehassomehealingpoweristhatwhenwearestressedoutover work,school,orotherstressinducers,wecansimplygooutonaniceclearsunnydaywhichwill helprelievethatstressandcalmourselvesmentallyandspirituallyThesecondformofnatureas saidbyEmersonis"naturesbeautyenhancesthegrandeurofnobledeedsandincreasesspirituality" (186).Whenheistalkingabouthowthebeautyofournaturalsurroundingsthatifgoodmendo honorabledeeds,theywillberewardedbynaturewithitsbeautyThethirdcharacteristicofbeauty inEmerson'seyesisthatofintellect.Emersonsays,"theintellectsearchesouttheabsoluteorderof thingsastheystandinthemindofGod"(188).WhatEmersonistellingusisthatourintellectwith howweperceivenatureisaconstantcycletoputtheminorderofwhattheymeantinthemindof Godwhenhecreatedthem.Wecanaccomplishthisbymeditatingwhensurroundedbynature,then thinkingdeeplyaboutwhatwesawandhowweperceivedthemandthinkhowGodwouldperceive them.Thisisyetanotherwayhowwecanbringourlivesbackintoharmonywithnature.Onemore waythatEmersonwasabletousespiritualitysideofnature,washisseventhchaptercalled
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RalphWaldoEmerson
1.Howwouldourattitudetowardsthestarschangeiftheyappearedonlyonceeverythousand years?WhatpointisEmersonmakingaboutnaturewiththisattention–gettingexample?(quotefrom thetext)Ifthestarsonlyappearedonce,everythousandyears,wewouldbemuchmoreawedand appreciatethemmuchmorethanwedonow"Natureneverbecameatoytoawisespirt,"Ibelieve thatwiththisexampleshowshowawisepersonnevertakesstars,oringeneral,natureforgranted, eveniftheyweretoseeiteveryday.Butratheramanwhoisnotwise,takesthestarsforgrantedand doesn'tappreciatethemIstronglybelieveEmersonistryingtomakethepointherethatmany peopletakenatureforgranted,andwe...showmorecontent...
"Mostpeopledonotseethesun,"Ibelievethisisagreatexampleofhowanadultvsakidseesthe sun.Adultsgotoworkeverydayandjustexpecttheskytolightupbecauseit'sthedaytime.When kidsgotoschool,thoughtheyexpectittolightupbecausetheynoticethesunandthere surroundingsAspeoplegrowolder,webecomemoreclosemindedThroughoutthisessay, Emersonisencouragingustobemoreopenmindedandtotaketimetoreallyseenatureanditstrue beauty.
1.WhatdoyouthinkEmersonmeansby"thatdivineideawhicheachofusrepresents"(paragraph 1)?
WhenEmersonsays"thatdivineideawhicheachofrepresents,"Ithinkheistalkingabouthowwe act,accordingtoGod.Emersonistalkingaboutifweareactright,accordingtoGod'sways.I believethatbyusingthewords"divineidea,"hemeansthegoodworksofGod.Aquotethat displaysifyouarenotdoingGod'swork,"butGodwillnothisworkdonebymanifestcowards" EmersonseemstofeelverystronglythatifyouarenotlivinghowGodwantsyouto,youarea coward.Heobviouslyseemstohaveastrongfaithhimself.Ibelieveheisalsotryingtoshowhow Godisseenthrougheachpersonwhodoestherightthing.IalsothinksheEmersonbelievesthatwe representandheistalkingabouthowthegoodthingswedoshowsGod'sdivineidea,ofeverything beinggoodEmersonwritingseemsbiasedherebecauseof
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Excerptsfromnature,RalphWaldoEmerson(1849),atextinwhichRalphWaldoEmersontalks abouttherelationshipofhumanitywithnature;mostimportantlyunderstandingtheword"Nature". RalphWaldoEmerson,Bornin1803inBoston,beingaUnitarianMinister,heembracedallthefour mainideasofUnitarianism.HelivedandwroteduringthedaysofWestwardexpansion,areligious suddenchange,domesticandpoliticalchangeHisgenerationandhimgrewupduringthewarof 1812.ThisleadthemtodevelopanewpatriotismwhenBostonwasinfearofBritishinvasion. Emerson'swritingreflectsthenaturestruggletodevelopanAmericanidentitythroughoutthistime andthisiswhyitwasconsideredvery"Unique"Bymidshowmorecontent Ifwegobackaybackinhistorywenoticethatlanguagewasimagebasedandcomposedofsymbol. Unfortunatelytodaylanguagedoesnotrepresentanymoreoursimple,"downtoearth"desiresbutis mostlyconcentratedmoreonoursecondary"artificial"desires.Emerson'smainideaisbasedonthe factthathumansneedtoacquireanew,moreeducatedwaytoseetheworld,observetheworldwith neweyesawiderperspectiveWhatweseeeverydayshouldneverbetakenforgrantedEmerson's introductionendsbyanabstractdefinitionof"whatisNature".WhatisNature?ForEmerson,nature iseverythingthatisexternaltoourselves,allthatis"notme"thisincludesourownbodies.Forhim thehuman/naturerelationshipisrevolutionary,hethoughtthathumanitywasseparatedfromnature thatnatureisonlyamerereflectionofhumans,andthatfewofusseethetruenature,whatnature reallylookslikeWealltendtoseenaturehowweliketoseeitThat'swhyeverysingleoneofus seesnatureinadifferentway.Emersonsays,thatinorderforus,humanstoseenatureforwhatit trulyis,weneedtoputonour"transparenteyeball"thatwasbornwitheveryoneofus,andisjust lostsomewherein
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RalphWaldoEmerson,nineteenthcenturypoetandwriter,expressesaphilosophyoflife,basedon ourinnerselfandthepresenceofthesoul.Emersonregardedandlearnedfromthegreatmindsof thepast,hesaysrepeatedlythateachpersonshouldliveaccordingtohisownthinking.Iwilltryto explainEmerson'sphilosophy,accordingtowhatIthinkheisthecentralthemeinallhisworks.
ThisisthemainideaofWaldo'sphilosophyHethinksthatamanshouldlearntoexpresshimself Beingyourselfwillhelpyoutosolvetheproblemsofyourlife.Weneedtotrustourselvesinorder toimproveourlife,likeallgreatmenhavedone.Self–reliancestemsfromwithindeepinoursoul whichisshowmorecontent
Natureinlifeteachestheunderstanding,isapracticingfortheintellectinlearninghowtodealwith life'sproblemsFromEmerson'stranscendental(awordIhadtolearnitsmeaninginorderto understandWaldo'stheory)viewthenaturalfiguresarealsosymbolsofspiritualsfactsor philosophy.Thatbyinteractingwithnaturepeoplelearnnotonlywhatispracticalbutalsowhatis good;forEmersonthenatureandthesoulareperfectlycomplementary.
Waldosaysthatisgoodtolearnfromthebooksaslongasthereaderkeepshiscreativityandwayof thinking;thatbypracticalexperiencewelearnquicklyandwell.
"Amanshouldlearntodetectandwatchthatgleamoflightwhichflashesacrosshismindfromwith in,morethanthelustreofthefirmamentofbardsandsages."
Hetriestomakesusrealizeourownvirtuesbycallingourinternalmeans,that'sthewaytoanswers tomanyquestions,andevenanswersforthequestionwehaven'tevenshape.Tokeeptheintegrity ofone'sinternalevolution
Whenpeoplebegintorealizethatautonomyandtheexpressionofyourthoughtsisrightforthem, thenmanygoodchangeswillhappeninsocietyEmerson's,notonlypoems,leadsthefactsof extendedviewofprogressivelearning,butalsooffersinsightsintoage–oldor"naturalmethod"as betterthannewtechnologybasedonexperimentationInmanyofhispoemshecomparesthebeauty ofthenature,andexpresses,withnatureandnaturalprocesswecan
"Donotseekanswersoutsideyourself"
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NaturebyRalphWaldoEmersonencouragesreaderstosetasidetrivialthingsinordertofindpeace outsideoftheir"chamber."WhilesomereadersclaimEmersonisbeingunrealisticandthatthe modernAmericanisincapableoftranscendence,itisuntrue.Thoughitmayseemdifficulttofind solitudeinmodernsociety,itisnowherenearimpossible.PeoplewhoclaimthatAmericanscannot reachtranscendenceinnaturefailtoacknowledgethosewhoreallydesiretranscendenceandhave foundwaystounplugfromtherestoftheworldandtrulyreachsolitude.ThemodernAmericancan seemwrappedupintechnology.Theinventionofmoderncomputersandsmartphonesbrought abouteasierwaystocommunicatewithpeopleThesevirtualcommunicationsarebelievedto distractfromreal–lifecommunication.Eventhoughpeopleseemtobeconsumedbytherecent technologyboom,manyshowmorecontent Ifpeoplearegenuinelyunhappywiththeirownlives,spendingadayintheforestisnotsuddenly goingtomaketheirproblemsvanish.OneobstaclethatmanyAmericansstrugglewithishowfast–pacesAmericanlifeisMostAmericansattendhighschool,college,andthengetajobTheentirety ofAmericanlifeisspentworking.Thisoftencreatesstressandunhappinessforpeople.Peopleget socaughtupinthetrivialityoftheirworkthattheyforgettotakecareofthemselves.Eventhough Americanscanbeconsumedbylifeattimes,itistheirchoiceastowhetherornottheywanttosee thebeautyofnature.Emersonmaintains,"Naturealwayswearsthecolorsofthespirit."Emersonis sayingthatnatureisunchanging,theonlythingthatcanaltersomeone'sviewofnatureishowhe looksatit.Ifsomeonegoesintonature,seekingsolitude,heiscapableofreachingit.Ifsomeone goesintonaturewithhislifeproblemsonhismind,heisboundtobedistractedbytrivial
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"Liveinthesunshine.Swiminthesea.Drinkthewildair"–RalphWaldoEmerson.Emerson'squote enlightenstheideaoftranscendentalism.Declaringtoenjoynatureforwhatitis,tovaluetheidea ofhavingthefreedomofitandtorealizethereismoretolifethanwhatyouareliving.Intheessay, "Nature",byRalphWaldoEmersonhefindshimselfchallengedbythehonestyofnature,which comparestoChrisMcCandlessadventureinthebook,IntotheWild,byJonKrakauerFirst,one mustenjoythingsashowtheycome.Emersonexplainsthisfeatinhisessaybyshadowingthereis morethanwhatmeetstheeyetonature.Hispurposeforthinkingthisisshowninthis,"Naturenever wearsameanappearance"(Emerson220)Inthis,Emersonshowmorecontent
Proclaimingthis,Krakauermeansafteroneexperiencessomethingsogreattheylearnandare shapedbythechangetheyhad.Asonegoesoninlifetheychange,justlikeChrisiswhenhewent tointothewild.Asthebookgoesonitavers,"Thefullestsenseoftheword,anepicjourneywould changeeverything"(Krakauer22).DisplayingthatKrakauerisreferringtoMcCandless'trip.How onethingcouldchangesomeonesomuchThehonestyofnatureshapedMcCandlessashewason thisadventure.Itshowedhimhowgoodlifecanbe.AsonecantellEmerson'sessayandKrakauer's bookshowshowonisshapedbythehonestyofnature.EmersonandMcCandless'storyaresimilar. Theybothfeellikenatureisapurething.Comparingthetwo,whenMcCandlessislivingoffthe landandhowbothfeellikeoneshouldusethelandtoitsfullpotential.Also,thetwoexcerptsare similarforbothexplainthatnatureissomethingthatistrulyaestheticAsbothstoriessetoutto provehowonecanoverlookhowextraordinarynatureis.Itwasn'tuntilMcCandlesssetoutintothe wildthathecandidlyappreciatedtheoutdoors."Nature"andIntotheWildbothstatethatadults don'tseenatureinfullMcCandlessandEmersonrealizethatthereiscopiousmoretonatureasone growsolder,butit'srarelyrecognized.AsMcCandlesstakeshisadventureintothewild,herealizes howsuperlativeitisandhowone
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NaturebyRalphWaldoEmersonhasalottoteachabouthowtorespecttheearthbecauseitisa mightyforcebutNaturealsoteacheswhatitmeanstobeconnectedwithnatureandthefeelingsthat areassociatedwithconnection.DuringmyclosereadofNatureIfacedchallenges,successes,anda greaterappreciationforthewritingfromaworldthatisdrasticallydifferentfromtheoneIlivein. Oneofmybiggeststruggleswhileannotatingthepiecewaslookingatthebigpictureandwhatthe paragraphasawholewastellingme.WhileIamannotatingItendtofocusmoreonthesmaller piecessuchasthemeaningofwordsanddecodingwhatasentenceissaying.It'shardtopullback fromthatandconnectthebiggerpiecestofindwhatthe
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"Nature"writtenbyRalphWaldoEmerson,isanessaywrittentoputforththeideaof transcendentalism,thebeliefsystemthatsupportstheappreciationofnature,whichwasnot commonatthetime.Emersonunveilsthecurrent,moderninclinationtoaccepttheknowledgeand thoughtsofthepast,insteadofexperiencingnatureandgodfacetoface,likebefore.Hebelieves thatthequestionsconstantlybeingaskedbyman,aboutGod,Nature,andtheworldarounduscan trulyonlybeansweredbyexperiencingtheworldaroundusandlifeitself.Emersondescribes Natureitselfaseverythingnottouchedbyman,waitingtobediscoveredbytheindividualsthathold thepowertodosothemselvesHealsoexclaimsthateverythingelse,suchasart,isjustNature combinedwiththewillofman,tocreatesomethingnew.Emersonisabletoswaythereadersviews byusinglengthy,persuasiveideasintheformofbeautifullywrittentext.InchapterI,Emerson explainsthatinordertohavetruesolitude,manmustleavebehindalldistractingandpreoccupying thingsincludingsocietyitself.Hearguesthatwhenamangazesuponthestars,heisshownhisown divisionbetweenhimandthesubstanceworldAsthestarsarevisibleeverynight,this"proves"that Godisalwaystherewatchingover.Thestarsalsoseemtoamazemaneverytime,eventhoughhe hasalreadyseenthemcountlesstimes.EmersondiscusseshowtheperceivedwholeofNature,is separatedintosmallercomponents.
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Inhisessayentitled"Nature,"RalphWaldoEmersonencourageshisreaderstolookaround, appreciate,andtakenothingforgranted.Emersonemphasizestheimportanceofremovingoneself fromalldistractions,andsuggestssolitudeasawaytotrulyconnectwithnature.Weneedtolookat thelandscape,andbecomeapartofit.Fornatureallowsonetofocus,andbecomeenlightened. ThreelinesofEmersonthatbestsupporthismainmessage:1"Togointosolitude,amanneedsto retireasmuchfromhischamberasfromsociety."2."Inthewoodsisperpetualyouth."3."Inthe woods,wereturntoreasonandfaith."4."Ibecomeatransparenteye–ball;Iamnothing;Iseeall; thecurrentsoftheUniversalBeingcirculatethroughme;Iampartshowmorecontent "Naturalinfluencesworkindirectlyaswellasdirectly;theyworkuponthesubconscious,aswellas upontheconsciousself."2."Onethingiscertain,inahygienicwayIowemuchtomyexcursionsto Nature."3."WhenIcomeback,IgotoNaturetobesoothedandhealed,andtohavemysensesput intuneoncemore."4."Toabsorbathingisbetterthantolearnit,andweabsorbwhatweenjoy." Whatdothesetwoselections/authorshaveincommon?"Nature"and"TheGospelofNature" Natureissomethingforusalltoenjoy.BothEmersonandBurroughsseenatureasthemost importantandeffectivetoolforlearning.Beingimmersedandconnectingwiththelandscapehelps restorebalanceinone'slife.Whatarethesetwoselections/authorsdifferent?AsIcomparethesetwo selections,itisapparentthatBurroughs'essayismorepersonalthanEmerson'sessay.Burroughs speaksabouthisownexperiencesinnature,andhowtheseexcursionshavechangedhimasan individual.Throughouthisessay,"TheGospelofNature"Burroughsrepeatstheword'enjoy.'To enjoysomethingistotakedelightorpleasureinortohavethebenefitof.Ourconnectiontothe naturalworldisvital,asitrevitalizesourmind,body,and
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Tofullyunderstandandappreciate"Nature"byRalphWaldoEmerson,aswellashisotherworks andthosethatfollowedhim,itisimportanttograsphisdevoutbeliefintheconceptof transcendentalism.Emersonbelievedthattotrulyenjoyawell–rounded,bountifullifeonemustbe notonlyawarebutintunewithnatureandrealizethatitisasimportant(ifnotmore)thannatural educationTheideaofpushingbackagainstthesocietalnormalwhichwasstandardeducationand followingwhatwasconsideredtheappropriateformulaforsuccessprovedoneofEmerson'sgreatest achievements.Armedwiththebeliefthatwehaveallthepowerwithinourselvestoconnectwith natureandaccessthemostinnerpartsofourmindwithouttheaidofshowmorecontent Itisclearthatthereisthebeliefofreligiousfiguresshiningalightontheirfollowersandusingthat lighttoilluminatearighteouspathbutwhatbetteranalogythenstarsastheyhaveforcountless yearsbeenalightandhelpedmanyfindtheirnaturalpath.Beingabletoappreciatenatureisbeing abletoseparateyourselffromallthepossessionsandmaterialisticideologiesthatEmersonbelieved toplagueoursocietyThereisaperfectexampleofseparatingyourselffromsocietyandbeing somethingelseentirelywhenEmersonsaid,"[i]becomeatransparenteye–ball.Iamnothing.Isee all"(511).Theeyeiswhatallowsustosee,withoutitsconnectiontothebrainitssolepurposeisnot toprocessevenwhatisinitsviewbutrathersimplysee.Thepointistostepbackandviewthingsas youseethemobjectivelynotallowingwhatyouknoworhavelearnedaboutwhatyouareseeingto affectanything,butrathersimplyappreciatingandbeholdingthebeautyofyoursightEmerson wantsthereadertounderstandtheimportanceofseparatingourselvesonoccasionandappreciating thesimplisticbeautythatisnatureandallowourselvestogetabetterunderstandingofbothlifeand ourselvesthroughuntaintedeyesOneofthegreatestaspectsoflifethat
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Intoday'ssocietymanyAmericanslookpastoftheimportanceofnatureeventhoughmany Americansdon'trealizeit,natureasahugeimpactontheirwholelives.Thelightromanticauthor, RalphWaldoEmerson,wroteanessaycalled"Nature",whichhadastrongeffectonmeforhowI feelaboutnatureandenlightenedmeonhowthisessayreflectsontoday'sAmericansociety.While Iwasreadingtheessay"Nature",itopenedmymindtothemeaningofnature,thepossibilities natureholds,andthetruebeautythatnatureholds.NatureissomethingthatIhavealwaystakenfor granteduntilIreadthisessay.InchapteroneandthreeofNature,Emersonexplainsintwopartsof theessayofhownatureistakenforgrantedandthebeautyofthealwaysshowmorecontent Emersonstatesinchapterone,"Ifthestarsshouldappearonenightinathousandyears,howwould menbelieveandadorethem;andpreserveformanygenerationstheremembranceofthecityofGod whichhadbeenshown"(509).People'ssituationalawarenesstoNatureislostandnatureendsup beingtakenforgrantedeveninthemostwonderfulthingssuchasthesun.InchapterthreeEmerson states,"totheattentiveeye,eachmomentoftheyearhasitsownbeauty,andinthesamefield,it beholds,everyhour,apicturewhichwasneverseenbefore,andshallneverbeseenagain"(514). Natureisalwayschanging,somethingthatwasseenyesterdaycan'tbeenseentodayinthesame way.Nomatterhowsmallofthechangeitwillneverbethesame.Forexampleifaperson'slooksto theskyonedayandthenonanothertherewouldbemultiplechangesinthescenerysuchas,the clouds,theweather,andthetimeIpersonallyhaveneverthoughtasnatureasthewayIdonow
TheUseofAnalogiesThroughoutmanywritings,authorsuseanalogiestocomparetwoindicated topicstooneanotherinamoredetailedevaluation.Analogieshelpthereadertograsptheindicated topicstheauthorcompares,givingthereaderafurtherknowledgeableunderstandingofthe comparison.RalphWaldoEmersonusesnumerousanalogiesthroughoutmanyofhiswritingsto createasmoothassessmentofthesubjectstipulated.TheanalogiesusedthroughoutRalphWaldo Emerson'swritingentitled"Nature"givesthereadermoreknowledgeofthetopics,acomparable similarityofthegiventopicsandhowthegiventopicsinteracttogethertofurtherexplicatethe comparison.Gatheringknowledgethroughoutreading"Nature"givesthereaderamorevisual perspectiveofthetopicsdiscussedthroughouttheseriesofessaysEmersonwrites.Todemonstrate this,Emersonstates"Themotionoftheearthrounditsaxis,androundthesun,makestheday,and theyearThesearecertainamountsofbrutelightandheatButistherenointentofananalogy betweenman'slifeandtheseasons?Anddotheseasonsgainnograndeurorpathosfromthat analogy?"(517).Theauthorusesthisquotetocompareaperson'slifetotheseasonsoftheyear, givingthereaderafurtherexplanationofhowthechangingoftheseasonsaresimilartothechanges apersongoesthroughinhisorherlife.Analogiesnotonlygivethereaderanenhanced understandingofthetext,analogiesalsoassist
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