Importance Of Nature In Ralph Waldo Emerson And Henry David Thoreau

Improved Essays
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau both teach the importance of simplicity. Thoreau does so in Walden and Emerson in Self- Reliance. Emerson focuses on nature and the significance to appreciate it without all the distractions. Thoreau uses Emerson’s ideas and focuses on how the economy and money was taking our time away from being grateful for the little things in life. They both saw the simplicity of hard work and going for what one desires in life, to appreciate nature in a more intimate way, and to be self-reliant. Thoreau wants to take pleasure in the little things in life and to show how to live simply. He wants to show that by living in the woods with only the necessities in life was better than having to rely on money to make …show more content…
He writes, “To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a superficial seeing. The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and heart of the child” (216). Emerson is trying to show how to appreciate the nature and all of its beauty in it, how the world with nature is a wonderful thing and as we grow older we start to admire the world and nature less each day. We start wanting things that are not as simple to get and therefore we do not know how to live a simple life anymore. We do not see it as a wonderful and great thing anymore, but as something dull and we do not know how to appreciate it anymore. He then adds the statement on how young kids see the worlds and nature in awe and are amazed with everything and they can actually appreciate it. Kids in live and are happy with the simple things in life because they know how to see it in a different perspective than adult. The way we connect with nature all depends on our self and how we want to live within it. Thoreau and Emerson see the importance in connecting with nature and finding one’s true self because that makes people see how simple life can be. Surrounding and connecting with nature is needed because people see the softness and calm of everything around them, without having to worry about the judgement of others and whether they are doing something wrong. Both authors thought that people should be focusing on the little details instead of the big picture, because sometimes the big picture does not always show what is needed to be seen. People forget to enjoy the little things in nature, like the leaves, the animals living within, the plants, and instead focus on the bigger things that are within eyelevel. People cannot learn to appreciate nature

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    And reduce other things in proportion” (Walden). In all of McCandless’s and Thoreau’s beliefs, simplicity is the most common theme seen between the two. Although Chris lived a very good life growing up, he did not exactly want all the luxuries he was…

    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Both Emerson and Thoreau both believe people can’t own nature, all of our actions affect nature, and that people don’t appreciate the nature around them enough. The transcendental belief of the importance of nature is shown by Emerson in Nature and Thoreau in Walden. They both reference nature in a positive way, and how humans act in and around…

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Emerson’s essay “Nature”, Emerson looks beyond the simple visuals of the woods and explores how his connection with Nature grants him enhanced perception of his existence, and how he himself is encompassed and uplifted by the existence that is Nature. Emerson While remembering his transcendental walk through the forest, Emerson writes, “There I feel that nothing can befall me in life, — no disgrace, no calamity, (leaving me my eyes,) which Nature cannot repair. ”(Emerson’s “Nature”) Emerson feels invincible in this moment due to his current independence from society bequeathed upon him by Nature.…

    • 320 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Like transcendentalism, Emerson’s religious beliefs were hazy. In chapter VII of Nature, titled “Spirit,” Emerson states that he believes “[t]he happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship,” Emerson is seeking a spiritual connection with God through nature, feeling his impact through the surroundings around him as opposed to the standard technique of prayer. The way Emerson practices spirituality is the ultimate individualistic religious experience. There are no guidelines, no strict rules, and no lofty requirements to make yourself worthy of God’s presence. You are free to appreciate God in whichever way you imagine.…

    • 791 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Thoreau was a simple man, one who decided that living on his own in the woods was the only way to reach clarity. His philosophy is one that has changed the way that many people have looked at themselves and their place in society. However his society is a thing of the past. His society is one that had different values and norms. Stating that possessions create complication is obsolete, although his ideas are very relevant in terms of obsession, society has created a way for people to connect with the world around them and live fuller lives.…

    • 1015 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hinderances to the elevation of mankind.” (1418 ) This mindset can be learned but, primarily comes from within - Thoreau’s ability to enlighten us is a gift, he does not place blame or shame on the reader for following the flow of society, instead he shows us how to realize his vision. Thoreau has a deep respect for and finds spirituality in nature. This is the theme I connected with most. From the time my boys were little we would make time every day to wander and observe nature.…

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Secondly, Emerson had the thought that people should appreciate nature while it last. “If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown!” (“Nature”). He simply thought that if we’re given something so beautiful, to not look over it and think it’ll be here forever. But to respect, cherish and…

    • 1202 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    They believed that nature is changing and people must know the reason why it is changing because nature changes accordingly to the society. According to Emerson's (1834) observation " human do not entirely understand natures beauty and all the things that nature has to offer us. He further state that people are uncertain by the humankind around them and human must take themselves away from societies flaw and diversion in order to experience the unity with nature for which they are naturally suited". Nature gives human a lot but human do not give in return and they believed that many people need to be separated from the rest of the world because they can see the real nature of the people and how society is changing. According to Conor (30 June 2009) states that "To go into isolation, a man needs to retire from his chamber and he further states that if a man would be alone let him look at the storts".…

    • 982 Words
    • 4 Pages
    • 3 Works Cited
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Transcendentalism is an idealistic approach to identity, nature, humanity, and divinity. The themes derived from Emerson and Thoreau center on this transcendental view of self-reliance and nature. In Thoreau’s Walden, he uses key points Emerson shows in Self-Reliance. The two men carry a great influential impact on society showing ideas of non-conformity, infancy, identity, the meaning of self-reliance, and an overall connection to nature. Emerson and Thoreau teach what purpose nature has to several aspects widely known in society.…

    • 2499 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It symbolized a movement from the more spiritual aspects of objects and things to a more materialistic one that centered on wealth and luxury. It was becoming the American dream to build lives of wealth so that all the new sold goods and innovations were both attainable and affordable, and they could flaunt their fortunes and status. This movement away from simplicity to a “fast”, “detailed,” more intricate way of life is exactly what Thoreau is arguing and fighting against: “The nation itself, with all its so-called internal improvements, which, by the way are all external and superficial, is just such an unwieldy and overgrown establishment, cluttered with furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined by luxury and heedless expense.” What does Thoreau desire for people to do in response to continues internal improvements that clutter our lives: “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity?” Allow your life be full and free of modern burdens spawned from these so called “improvements” that truly increase the complexity and thus the stress of modern daily lives.…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He says, “He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present, above time” (595). Here Emerson believes that living with nature can truly make one happy and complete one’s life. He is a primary supporter of the transcendental lifestyle so he promotes finding oneself through nature. When transcendentalist say living in nature is a necessity, they feel the need to truly connect and see the beauty. When Thoreau speaks about nature, he believes that one needs to appreciate it and not just live in it.…

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Thoreau made life the least important thing and made nature his priority. He was able to go out into nature and restart his life over using nature only. Nature made both Emerson and Thoreau experience a variety of new emotions they have never had. Thoreau did better at emphasizing the importance of…

    • 1025 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He asserts that “few adult persons can see nature... At least they have a very superficial seeing” because adults are corrupted by societal biases and prejudices. In comparison, children are innocent and not conformed to society; therefore, “the sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child”. Emerson…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Henry David Thoreau, an unconventional Romantic writer, uses his experience at Walden Pond to decipher the significant elements of life. Through his time spent in solitude, he ponders upon personal development and wishes to “live deliberately” and simply. Thoreau’s idea of living simply and reflecting on the important things in life allows him to realize that society is filled with a myriad of detrimental matters, including the prominent materialistic mindset, unnecessary distractions including technology, and a lack of simplicity. In “Where I Lived, And What I Lived For”, Henry David Thoreau effectively uses diction to emphasize the negative aspects of materialism, efficiently uses anecdotes and rhetorical questions to analyze the negative…

    • 1208 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    When Thoreau lived in the woods he had better outlook on nature, he discovered that people had four necessity in life which are food and, shelter, fuel, and clothing. By having these four necessities in life a person can conserve their energy. Thoreau wants everybody to slow down and reconnect with real time which is nature 's time. By slowing down, people have the time to reevaluate on some things that going on in their life. Also, Thoreau stated in his story that “The laboring man has not leisure for a true integrity day by day; he cannot afford to sustain the manliest relations to men; his labor would be depreciated in the market.…

    • 1228 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays