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Nature and Walden

             In the first paragraph of "Nature," Emerson points out that the "modern age is retrospective. It builds upon the sepulchers of the past" (Emerson 177). Here Emerson is saying that the modern generation is looking at the world through their ancestors eyes instead of taking their own view of the world. Emerson then precedes to ask three questions which all have the same meaning: he asks why we should not look at the world through our own perspective. After asking this same question in three different ways Emerson writes "The shines to-day also" (Emerson 177). By writing this Emerson is answering his question. He is saying that there is no reason for the modern generation to not use an original modern perspective when looking at the world. This sentence transitions the essay from rhetorical questioning to asserting the argument. Emerson then proceeds to argue his point that modern people can have their own perspective by saying "There is more wool and flax in the fields. There are new lands, new men, new thoughts. Let us demand our own work and laws and worship" (Emerson 177). Here Emerson is basically restating the phrase "The sun shines to-day also" in a different way for emphasis. He is trying to show that his modern audience does have the necessary surrounding to have their own perspectives on the world and shouldn't use past models. .
             Emerson begins the next paragraph by writing "Undoubtedly we have no questions to ask which are unanswerable" then later in the paragraph he writes "Every man's condition is a solution in hieroglyphic to those inquires he would put" (Emerson 177). Here Emerson is saying that man cannot ask a question which cannot be answered. Whatever curiosity that causes the question to arise breeds the same imaginativeness to answer the question. Even though the solution may be difficult to discern – like hieroglyphics – they are there.


Essays Related to Nature and Walden

1. Walden

Walden Walden, written by Henry David Thoreau, is an autobiographical book that has a message for the reader. ... Rather, they should enjoy the simplicity of life, its nature, its kindness and its spirituality. ... It explains how material treasures take the best of human beings, making them to forget the real sense of life, which is the pleasure to receive what nature has already prepared for us. ... In that way a person has plenty of time to enjoy and work on worthwhile things, like nature and spirituality. In conclusion, Walden is a book that tries to give us a message of freedom. ...

  • Word Count: 482
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Walden Pond

In Henry David Thoreau's autobiography Walden, Thoreau informs us of his odyssey to enlightenment through communion through nature. ... So it makes it very difficult to determine its exact nature. ... Since ice is the only product of Walden Pond that is useful, it becomes a symbol of the social use and social importance of nature, and of the exploitation of natural resources. ... No matter what happens the pond will be repaired by nature. ... But in the majorities opinion, this is what makes life easier and how the norm should be, but in Thoreau's eyes, this isn't "earn [ing]" W...

  • Word Count: 1851
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Walden By Henry David Thoreau

Many interpretations of Walden exist; however, its most prominent understanding subsists as a nature book that exhibits Thoreau's beliefs and observations on nature. ... Walden portrays nature in great depth throughout the book. ... Contrasting to the "usual " nature book, parts of Walden represent more of the human nature. ... Walden provides a guide for a lifestyle like his own as well as detailed references to nature. The book may give examples on how an aspiring transcendentalist can learn to live simply as Thoreau did, but Walden's more protuberant understanding is that it is ...

  • Word Count: 1019
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Walden

Thoreau instead insists on slowing down and enjoying what nature has to offer. ... These discoveries appear in Thoreau's Walden. ... This is the portion of Walden that I tend to disagree with. ... Evaluation: In Walden, one can see that the first story "Where I Lived, and What I Lived For" that he truly loves being in nature. ... Part of the magic of Walden is that it's not just a story; it's a real person in a real place, which is what makes the story of Walden exceptional. ...

  • Word Count: 1005
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Symbolism In Walden

Walden And Its Symbolism Walden is an unmatched masterpiece. ... The foremost symbol in Walden is the lake itself. ... Ice is an important element in Walden Pond. ... Consequently, the exploitation of ice symbolizes the confrontation of nature and human society. ... Walden as a story ends with the last chapter, but it will be continually passed down one generation after another as intellectual philosophy about the human society and nature. ...

  • Word Count: 1286
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Thoreau and Han Shan

He moved to Walden Pond to spend time with his thoughts and to observe society by escaping it. By the end of his time at Walden, he had discovered the importance of nature and a simple life. His experience at Walden allowed him to remove himself from society and return to the basic principles of life: Shelter and food. ... Nature is a reoccurring theme between Thoreau and Han-Shan. ... Thoreau and Han-Shan have developed a similar perspective towards the importance of nature. ...

  • Word Count: 464
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Henry David Thoreau's Walden

Henry David Thoreau's Walden is Thoreau's personal account of his experience at Walden Pond while in search of a deeper understanding of life and truth. ... Throughout Walden Thoreau reveals his conflicting feelings of the nature of man, and specifically in "Higher Laws" he deals with the clash between the spiritual nature of man and the savage nature of the animal inside us. "Higher Laws" is also instrumental in suggesting this conflicting theme of animal and spiritual natures which occurs throughout Walden.. ... In the forest Thoreau realizes his own dual-nature; part noble and...

  • Word Count: 1037
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Thoreau - Civil Disobedience, Walden, and Walking

Mechanization changed the nature of work and the role of labor. ... It was located near Walden Pond in Lincoln, Massachusetts. ... After his return from Walden Pond in 1847, he was repeatedly revising his work when, in August of 1854, Walden was published. ... For Thoreau, this deep involvement in nature was his search for greater meaning. ... In "Civil Disobedience", "Walden", and "Walking" Thoreau effectively conveys his belief that conscience be the driving force of each mans conduct and the importance of an individual's relationship to nature. ...

  • Word Count: 2159
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Walden- Henry David Thoreau

The book Walden was written by Henry David Thoreau about his 2 year stay at his hand crafted house on Walden Pond. Thoreau strongly believed in transcendentalism and Walden is a great example of how his beliefs influenced his writing. ... One quote that stands out from Walden is "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer." ... With great stress placed upon an individual's importance and relevancy in the world Walden is a great example of transcendentalism. Not to over look the love for nature, and self-realization Thoreau so gr...

  • Word Count: 399
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

10. Transendalism

Thoreau and Emerson Transcendentalism is used frequently as main topics in the stories "Nature" and Walden. ... Walden was a story written by Thoreau, which is fairly similar to the contrasting book "Nature". ... Emerson uses the themes of Nature and God to represent and reflect nature as transcendentalism. Thoreau stresses the relationship with God and Nature at the same time. ... Both of these stories concentrate on writing about nature more than anythin...

  • Word Count: 962
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

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