The Importance Of Nature By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nature is an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson where he discusses the symbolism that exists in nature, its manifestations, and the ongoing development of nature toward higher forms. According to Emerson, nature itself can be considered as an experience of solitude (“man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society”). It is his belief that when the individual desires to be alone, he shall look into the immensity of the sky, as it inspires a feeling of awe and respect. To Emerson everything in nature is a source of wisdom, simplicity, and fulfillment (“flowers, the animals, the mountains, reflected the wisdom of his best hour”). He further believes on the importance of the relationship between man and nature. This relationship between

Every event of nature becomes a lesson for man in order for his soul to learn and to nourish itself spiritually. Man is inspired by nature as a moral being by following the principles of nature. At the same time, Emerson’s view of nature conflicts with religious dogma, and rather than seeing nature as part of a curse of God on man, he sees nature in the service of mankind. Still, it is crucial for man to recognize the existence of a spirit in nature, and man must build up his own spirituality by having a different view of nature. Man will be able to understand and answer those questions that plague his mind about the order of universe when he experiences the world that surrounds him. Once man recognizes his part in creation, and how nature is an expression of the divine, then he will find his purpose in life. The key to divine knowledge is held by man, and man should find this knowledge by using the keyhole found in nature (“we learn that man has access to the entire mind of the

He enjoys his mornings and bathing in the pond. This is the source of a strength not experienced before by him, and Thoreau realizes that he is awakening new feelings and emotions. The beginning of the day is not just that, but actually the beginning of a new life for Thoreau. He criticizes society for the life it leads, which is “meanly, like ants.” He doesn’t hide his disappointment when he states that modern life “is frittered away by detail.” The new experiences at the pond make Thoreau advocate for a new type of life which is more akin to a joyful celebration of nature and of life itself. In Walden the reader is able to discern how Thoreau makes use of nature and aspects of life in his own process of discovery and self-growth. He understands that all creation exists in order to contribute to man’s quest for perfection and self-discovery. Thoreau claims that nature is nothing else but the endless source of physical and spiritual rebirth and invigoration to man. Everything in nature has spiritual value, full of symbols of the