Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson
According to Emerson, what is a "lover of nature?" Would you consider yourself to be a lover of nature? Why?
A lover of nature is a person whose inner and outer senses are still aligned, who remains young at heart and who feels the necessity of communicating with nature on a daily basis.
How do people's views of nature change depending upon their circumstances?
Age and mood affect one's experiences with nature.
How can appreciating nature integrate one's fragmented thoughts?
Can help a person view his or her thoughts as a whole.
What is the implicit message about city life in" in the wilderness, I find something more dear and connate than in streets or villages"?
He implied that nature reflects human nature; towns do not.
What does Emerson mean by his statement that he is "not solitary when he reads and writes, though nobody is with me"?
He is communicating with the author of his audience.
Two examples of personification-giving an object or animal human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes- explain their effectiveness.
In the first paragraph, the stars smile. In the last, the plants nod and wave. These examples show Emerson's feelings of nature and benevolence.
How can admonishing remark to slow down make someone notice nature's beauty?
It can cause one to stop and look around.
How does looking into a star-filled, transparent sky affect one's outlook?
It makes one feel awe and perhaps optimism.
Can one possess great egotism and still have a blithe spirit?
No, a person who is happy and carefree would not be self-involved.
Do you believe that "few adult persons can see nature"? Explain
Some adults lose a sense of wonder at the world, whereas others keep a child-like innocence.
Emerson writes that in the company of nature he becomes a "transparent eyeball." Describe the unusual image in your own words. How does it contribute to the essay's main idea?
The clear eyeball sees without interpreting, connecting inward and outward senses. Images and strength to Emerson's ideas.
How does the poet's nature differ from that of a woodcutter or property owner?
The poet sees nature as a whole. The woodcutter and property owner see what they can gain from nature. The woodcutter and property owner see their share of nature.
