NatureNature

By Ralph Waldo EmersonBy Ralph Waldo Emerson

Opening LineOpening Line

Solitude is transcendent state Solitude is transcendent state achieved through being in natureachieved through being in nature

Stars inspire deep respect and create a Stars inspire deep respect and create a sense of solitudesense of solitude

Parallels stars inaccessible qualities to a Parallels stars inaccessible qualities to a landscape or horizonlandscape or horizon

Viewing Nature in a Poetical Viewing Nature in a Poetical SenseSense

Describes those for whom this is possible. Describes those for whom this is possible. Who are they?Who are they?

Individuals who have “the eye and the Individuals who have “the eye and the heart” of a child can truly see nature. heart” of a child can truly see nature. Why?Why?

An adult reacts to nature visually and An adult reacts to nature visually and intellectually. A child, or an adult who has intellectually. A child, or an adult who has kept some innocence and openness, is kept some innocence and openness, is able to react emotionally as well.able to react emotionally as well.

A Child’s Eyes and Heart A Child’s Eyes and Heart ThemeTheme

This theme is developed throughout the This theme is developed throughout the paragraph.paragraph.

““In the woods, too, a man cast his In the woods, too, a man cast his years. . .and. . .is always a child”years. . .and. . .is always a child”

References to eyes continue: “I become References to eyes continue: “I become transparent eyeball”transparent eyeball” All egotism vanishes, and nature is revealed to All egotism vanishes, and nature is revealed to

someone who can see this way.someone who can see this way. End of the paragraph – through the End of the paragraph – through the

horizon/landscape, man sees that his own horizon/landscape, man sees that his own nature, too, is beautifulnature, too, is beautiful

The DelightThe Delight

Viewing nature with the eyes and heart Viewing nature with the eyes and heart of a child brings about this delightof a child brings about this delight A higher thought or better emotionA higher thought or better emotion

The final paragraph stresses “the The final paragraph stresses “the delight” in the previous paragraph delight” in the previous paragraph resides in man, or his harmony with resides in man, or his harmony with naturenature Therefore, “[n]ature always wears the colors Therefore, “[n]ature always wears the colors

of the spirit.”of the spirit.”