Nature By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Introduction Emerson puts an emphasis on the immediate moment Emerson puts an emphasis on the immediate moment He views nature in a philosophical sense – anything other than our own essence He views nature in a philosophical sense – anything other than our own essence He argues that we should enjoy an original relation to the universe; we should forge our own paths in poetry, philosophy, and religion rather than blindly following the ways of those before us He argues that we should enjoy an original relation to the universe; we should forge our own paths in poetry, philosophy, and religion rather than blindly following the ways of those before us

Nature This section turns from the universal world, symbolized in the stars that Emerson views at night, and focuses on how we perceive objects around us This section turns from the universal world, symbolized in the stars that Emerson views at night, and focuses on how we perceive objects around us Emerson’s gazing at the stars is an example of nightly rediscovering the eternal – making each experience new – and continues the theme of progress from the introduction Emerson’s gazing at the stars is an example of nightly rediscovering the eternal – making each experience new – and continues the theme of progress from the introduction Emerson introduces a new theme: accessibility Emerson introduces a new theme: accessibility

Nature Using the stars as symbols of the universe, Emerson states that we take the stars for granted because we can always see them Using the stars as symbols of the universe, Emerson states that we take the stars for granted because we can always see them Although the stars are accessible because we can see them, they are also inaccessible: their distance from us makes them more elusive than we can imagine Although the stars are accessible because we can see them, they are also inaccessible: their distance from us makes them more elusive than we can imagine

Nature Emerson moves from discussing the far-away stars to the landscape immediately around him Emerson moves from discussing the far-away stars to the landscape immediately around him He links the stars with the landscape, furthering the theme of a chain linking everything in the universe He links the stars with the landscape, furthering the theme of a chain linking everything in the universe Just as the stars are accessible to all who take the time to gaze at them, so too is the everyday landscape around us Just as the stars are accessible to all who take the time to gaze at them, so too is the everyday landscape around us Emerson encourages us to see nature as an integrated whole rather than as a collection of individual objects Emerson encourages us to see nature as an integrated whole rather than as a collection of individual objects

Nature Emerson claims that the person who is most likely to see the whole of things is the poet Emerson claims that the person who is most likely to see the whole of things is the poet The poet, argues Emerson, can see nature plainly, whereas other people view nature superficially The poet, argues Emerson, can see nature plainly, whereas other people view nature superficially In order for us to see nature plainly, we must cast off our old ways of seeing In order for us to see nature plainly, we must cast off our old ways of seeing Here, we again see the theme of casting off the ways of those who have come before us; in order to see differently we must cast off our years and reveal the child within Here, we again see the theme of casting off the ways of those who have come before us; in order to see differently we must cast off our years and reveal the child within

Nature Emerson notes that a child sees nature as it is rather than by manipulating it into something it is not as adults might do Emerson notes that a child sees nature as it is rather than by manipulating it into something it is not as adults might do Emerson discusses the Universal Being – God – an animating life force which, he argues, every object in nature partakes in; through it, all objects in nature are linked Emerson discusses the Universal Being – God – an animating life force which, he argues, every object in nature partakes in; through it, all objects in nature are linked Emerson suggests a paradoxical relationship, drawing on a common transcendentalist theme, that one can find oneself only by first losing oneself Emerson suggests a paradoxical relationship, drawing on a common transcendentalist theme, that one can find oneself only by first losing oneself Emerson’s final idea is that nature does not have a personality that it alone devises; humans, who are paramount over nature grant human characteristics to it Emerson’s final idea is that nature does not have a personality that it alone devises; humans, who are paramount over nature grant human characteristics to it

Commodity Emerson looks at nature as a provider Emerson looks at nature as a provider Commodity is a physical necessity, and Emerson discusses briefly how nature supports our earthly existence Commodity is a physical necessity, and Emerson discusses briefly how nature supports our earthly existence Different elements, ranging from resources like metals, plants, and animals, to the basic elements of air, fire, and water, nourish earth’s inhabitants Different elements, ranging from resources like metals, plants, and animals, to the basic elements of air, fire, and water, nourish earth’s inhabitants This process furthers the essay’s theme of progress based on evolution because the wind, sun, rain, plants, and animals all work together to better humankind This process furthers the essay’s theme of progress based on evolution because the wind, sun, rain, plants, and animals all work together to better humankind

Beauty Emerson argues that beauty is a part of nature that serves our needs Emerson argues that beauty is a part of nature that serves our needs Beauty is a nobler want of humanity than commodity, which everyone must have to survive Beauty is a nobler want of humanity than commodity, which everyone must have to survive Beauty is not necessary for physical survival, but it is useful for its restorative powers Beauty is not necessary for physical survival, but it is useful for its restorative powers

Beauty Emerson uses the circle as being the most perfect, and, therefore, the most geometrical form Emerson uses the circle as being the most perfect, and, therefore, the most geometrical form Comparing a landscape to a circle’s perfect shape, Emerson finds that the landscape has perfect order Comparing a landscape to a circle’s perfect shape, Emerson finds that the landscape has perfect order Emerson outlines 3 main points concerning our nature’s beauty: medicinal qualities, spiritual elements, and intellectual properties Emerson outlines 3 main points concerning our nature’s beauty: medicinal qualities, spiritual elements, and intellectual properties

Beauty Medicinal and Restorative Powers Medicinal and Restorative Powers –Walking in the woods or along a seashore relieves the individual who is burdened by work, tedium, or a stressful urban environment –Every season of nature has a special beauty apparent to the person who takes the time to perceive it –We cannot actively seek nature’s restorative qualities; Emerson notes that a person who passively loses himself in the landscape will be rewarded by nature’s restorative powers, whereas a person who consciously seeks such healing will be tricked by nature’s illusions

Beauty Spiritual Elements Spiritual Elements –Beauty in nature represents spiritual perfection –A virtuous person is most open to and in harmony with nature’s beauty because nature rewards only those people whose thoughts are noble and who actively perform upstanding deeds –Nature will bend to a righteous person’s will

Beauty Intellectual Properties Intellectual Properties –Beauty is pleasing to the intellect –If intellect is involved in thinking about beauty, then it is truly appreciated –Continuing the theme of nature’s perfect order, Emerson contends that the intellect searches for the perfect order of things, which is an expression of God

Beauty Emerson ends this section by discussing taste and art Emerson ends this section by discussing taste and art –Taste, he says, is the love of beauty –Art is the creation of beauty Emerson again stresses the unity between nature and humanity: a thing is beautiful in itself if it is beautiful in unison with nature’s whole Emerson again stresses the unity between nature and humanity: a thing is beautiful in itself if it is beautiful in unison with nature’s whole The sum of nature, then, is greater than its parts The sum of nature, then, is greater than its parts

Language Emerson discusses the relationship between nature and language Emerson discusses the relationship between nature and language Man uses language to understand nature Man uses language to understand nature Nature is a reflection of thought and the human mind Nature is a reflection of thought and the human mind Words represent objects in nature; these individual objects signify spiritual realities; nature symbolizes spirituality Words represent objects in nature; these individual objects signify spiritual realities; nature symbolizes spirituality

Language Words are signs of natural facts Words are signs of natural facts –To explain how words represent natural objects, Emerson uses etymology – the origin and development of words – to illustrate that abstract terms are derived from words for physical things –According to Emerson’s view, which has been discredited by modern linguists, language is a series of metaphors, symbols representing other things –For example, the word spirit at one time evoked the word wind; we use the word heart to express emotion –These meanings are incorporated into our language to such a great extent that we forget the ways that words and their meanings originate

Language Particular natural facts are symbols of particular spiritual facts Particular natural facts are symbols of particular spiritual facts –Nature, as the interpreter between people, supplies the language that people use to communicate –A river, for example, expresses the passage of time, and the seasons of the year correspond to human growth –Emerson naively assumes that these correspondences are universal and understood by all human beings –The theme of universal understanding is emphasized further when he claims that each individual shares a universal soul linking that person to all others, as well as to the whole of nature

Language –This point about language acting as an interpreter between people recalls the idea of creation in the essay’s introduction, where Emerson suggests that the act of creation and the vitality associated with that act have been lost (thus the need for us to forge new paths) –Here, he provides a reason for this loss of creativity: we are too easily corrupted by desires, including the desire for riches, for pleasure, and for power –Because these desires overly complicate our lives, we have become distanced from nature’s restorative powers and the vital act of creation is lost: “New imagery ceases to be created” and words become tools that we use to deceive each other

Language Nature is the symbol of spirit Nature is the symbol of spirit –Emerson discusses how nature assumes spiritual dimensions through our use of language –The reasoning behind this claim is complex –Our human laws appear to mimic nature’s laws, yet over time we have blurred the distinction between our laws and nature’s laws –We cannot, however, consider nature as something totally outside ourselves because “the whole of nature,” Emerson states, “is a metaphor of the human mind,” established so that we might have control over our lives –For example, he equates laws of physics as equivalent to rules of moral conduct

Language Emerson returns to the theme of accessibility in this section: Emerson returns to the theme of accessibility in this section: –Discussing the relationship between intellect and nature, Emerson observes that the language used to make sense of the world can be known by all of us, not just poets: “”This relationship between the mind and matter is not fancied by some poets, but stands in the will of God, and so is free to be known by all men” –For those of us who are unsure of just how nature will become accessible, he assures us that “by degrees” we can come to understand nature and our relationship to it, and the world will eventually become “an open book” from which all can read

Discipline By claiming that people can come to know nature “by degrees,” Emerson now distinguishes which faculties people use in this process By claiming that people can come to know nature “by degrees,” Emerson now distinguishes which faculties people use in this process Emerson names these faculties – Understanding and Reason – and he attempts to show the relationship between them Emerson names these faculties – Understanding and Reason – and he attempts to show the relationship between them

Discipline Everything in nature offers lessons we can learn Everything in nature offers lessons we can learn Understanding requires our perceiving how natural objects differ from – and resemble – each other Understanding requires our perceiving how natural objects differ from – and resemble – each other Emerson suggests that an understanding of Debt and Property – things which we would today distinguish as social or economic issues rather than as natural objects – is needed most by those who suffer from them, in part because they both teach discipline to people Emerson suggests that an understanding of Debt and Property – things which we would today distinguish as social or economic issues rather than as natural objects – is needed most by those who suffer from them, in part because they both teach discipline to people Readers may find Emerson’s comments harsh and uncaring, but he holds Debt and Property equally valid for offering lessons and instruction in life Readers may find Emerson’s comments harsh and uncaring, but he holds Debt and Property equally valid for offering lessons and instruction in life

Discipline Singling out the role of the Will for particular consideration, Emerson argues that exercising the Will teaches the meaning of power – power that we can use to dominate nature and make it a reflection of ourselves Singling out the role of the Will for particular consideration, Emerson argues that exercising the Will teaches the meaning of power – power that we can use to dominate nature and make it a reflection of ourselves He continually argues for nature’s being made to serve us, and idea that is startling, given the generally accepted opinion that Emerson’s key ideas include our metaphysically becoming one with nature and nature’s supremely ruling over us He continually argues for nature’s being made to serve us, and idea that is startling, given the generally accepted opinion that Emerson’s key ideas include our metaphysically becoming one with nature and nature’s supremely ruling over us Here, however, Emerson says that we shape nature and that our wills can mold it into what is useful Here, however, Emerson says that we shape nature and that our wills can mold it into what is useful

Discipline If Understanding is concerned with the knowledge of how objects function in the world, then Reason, the second major point under the heading of Discipline, is the intuition needed to understand those objects If Understanding is concerned with the knowledge of how objects function in the world, then Reason, the second major point under the heading of Discipline, is the intuition needed to understand those objects Emerson’s definition of Reason us markedly different than ours today: Emerson’s definition of Reason us markedly different than ours today: –For us, Reason means the process by which we logically and rationally deduce different phenomena –For Emerson, however, Reason is tied to intuiting how nature, which he believes is a moral teacher, offers ethical and spiritual insights Reason is linked to intuition, Understanding to rationality Reason is linked to intuition, Understanding to rationality

Discipline Emerson argues that every natural object offers a sermon on some spiritual or divine reality Emerson argues that every natural object offers a sermon on some spiritual or divine reality For example, the fisherman learns firmness, which is morally good, from observing centuries- old, sea-beaten rocks: to be firm about something is a morally correct way of acting and shows to what extent a person will defend what he or she thinks For example, the fisherman learns firmness, which is morally good, from observing centuries- old, sea-beaten rocks: to be firm about something is a morally correct way of acting and shows to what extent a person will defend what he or she thinks

Discipline Emerson returns to the theme that all things in nature create a single whole Emerson returns to the theme that all things in nature create a single whole Analogies and resemblances between physical and spiritual realities cause the mind to perceive the universe as a single, organic whole, with each part significant and harmonious Analogies and resemblances between physical and spiritual realities cause the mind to perceive the universe as a single, organic whole, with each part significant and harmonious This unity encompasses relationships between people, whose bodies Emerson regards as nature’s most perfect products and the objects that most eloquently embody spiritual truths This unity encompasses relationships between people, whose bodies Emerson regards as nature’s most perfect products and the objects that most eloquently embody spiritual truths

Discipline In this section, Emerson ties together many of the themes found throughout the essay In this section, Emerson ties together many of the themes found throughout the essay –The unity of all objects in nature is the single most important ordering mechanism defining our lives –To express this ordering, Emerson likens his belief that every universal truth recalls all other truths to the geometrical shape of a circle, which has no beginning and no end –The circle best represents nature’s order because all circles have the same form, just as all of nature’s truths recall one another