Nature Emerson Rhetorical Analysis

The essay "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson implements the use of many transcendentalist ideas through the use of strong rhetorical language. The core belief of transcendentalism is self-reliance and independence, and it stresses the importance that people need to do things on their own. Emerson uses irony to point out many latent truths about the concept. He also uses personification to show that the world around someone can have qualities of a human. Metaphors are also used heavily in the essay as catalysts to help the reader better understand Transcendentalism.

Irony is one of the best tools a writer can use in his text to stress the truth and importance of his message. An example that portrays perfectly the irony of "Nature" would be when he states "I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me." This, in its most literal sense, is saying that he is both alone and surrounded while he is in his element of reading and writing. In a deeper meaning though, it is saying that he is not alone when he reads or writes because of all the characters, stories, and ideas within his mind. This could also be referring to his spirituality, as he is not alone when God is with him. Physical isolation does not necessarily equal spiritual solidarity.

Emerson's use of personification comes to life as it enhances the core them of his message of the beauty of nature and transcendentalism.

One excellent example would be when he states "But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile." This is a truly beautiful quote because it conveys both the core qualities of nature and personification. It is saying that the universe "smiles" and is bright, comparing it to an illuminating person. In this quote, Emerson uses an inspiring and playful tone to convey the true beauty of

transcendentalism.

Another rhetorical strategy used in Emerson's "Nature" would be the use of metaphors. Metaphors often allow the reader to see the situation or idea in a different context, and they allow for a more full understanding of the text. Emerson states " I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God." He basically states that he is a tiny dot on the map of the universe, but that he is still important and beautiful in his own way. This metaphor for a human's existence being equivalent to a transparent, or self-evident, eye-ball allows for the reader to understand the stress for individualism in a transcendentalist society.

Ralph Waldo Emerson effectively gets his message of the importance of transcendentalism in his essay "Nature" through the use of many rhetorical strategies. He uses irony to show that ideas as contrasting as God and nature can be extremely similar. He uses personification to explain nature's way of showing the universe to us in a new light. Metaphors are used ultimately to show core truths about philosophical insight and the religion of revelation. All of these aforementioned strategies help the reader to better understand Emerson's message.