Nature By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Opening Line Solitude is transcendent state achieved through being in nature Solitude is transcendent state achieved through being in nature Stars inspire deep respect and create a sense of solitude Stars inspire deep respect and create a sense of solitude Parallels stars inaccessible qualities to a landscape or horizon Parallels stars inaccessible qualities to a landscape or horizon

Viewing Nature in a Poetical Sense Describes those for whom this is possible. Who are they? Describes those for whom this is possible. Who are they? Individuals who have “the eye and the heart” of a child can truly see nature. Why? Individuals who have “the eye and the heart” of a child can truly see nature. Why? An adult reacts to nature visually and intellectually. A child, or an adult who has kept some innocence and openness, is able to react emotionally as well. An adult reacts to nature visually and intellectually. A child, or an adult who has kept some innocence and openness, is able to react emotionally as well.

A Child’s Eyes and Heart Theme This theme is developed throughout the paragraph. This theme is developed throughout the paragraph. “In the woods, too, a man cast his years...and...is always a child” “In the woods, too, a man cast his years...and...is always a child” References to eyes continue: “I become transparent eyeball” References to eyes continue: “I become transparent eyeball” All egotism vanishes, and nature is revealed to someone who can see this way. All egotism vanishes, and nature is revealed to someone who can see this way. End of the paragraph – through the horizon/landscape, man sees that his own nature, too, is beautiful End of the paragraph – through the horizon/landscape, man sees that his own nature, too, is beautiful

The Delight Viewing nature with the eyes and heart of a child brings about this delight Viewing nature with the eyes and heart of a child brings about this delight A higher thought or better emotion A higher thought or better emotion The final paragraph stresses “the delight” in the previous paragraph resides in man, or his harmony with nature The final paragraph stresses “the delight” in the previous paragraph resides in man, or his harmony with nature Therefore, “[n]ature always wears the colors of the spirit.” Therefore, “[n]ature always wears the colors of the spirit.”