Fate" and "Nature

376 Words2 Pages
Fate and Nature Emerson was perhaps one of the most extraordinary writers of the 1800’s, giving insight to topics that may have been otherwise overlooked. In “Nature” and “Fate”, many of his ideas are similar yet also different at the same time. One of the ways both of these works are similar is because of the intertwining of nature with other elements. For example, in “Nature”, Emerson states that nature is where he feels united with himself, nature, and God. Then, in “Fate” Emerson states that “The element running through entire nature, which we popularly call Fate, is known to us as limitation,” (191). He is suggesting that fate and nature as well as other things are all connected. Furthermore, both works suggest the odd nature of the human. In “Nature”, Emerson says that humans have “mean egotism” (186). Following, Emerson states that a human is not a perfect being, but in fact “a stupendous antagonism” (191). Moreover, both essays talk about freedom and nature. “Nature” suggests that through nature the individual can achieve freedom. “Fate” talks of how fate is also a part of the freedom of a man. All in all, “Nature” and “Fate” by Ralph Waldo Emerson share many similarities. However, “Nature” and “Fate” vary because of their portrayals of nature. In “Nature”, the outside forces are shown as very beautiful. For example, “ In the tranquil landscape, and especially in the distant line of the horizon, man beholds somewhat as beautiful as his own nature” (186). However, the entire first paragraph of “Fate” talks about how “Nature is no sentimentalist-does not cosset or pamper us” (191). These views are amazingly different, considering that they came from the same person. Following, “Nature” talks about how the outdoors is very calm and how there is “no disgrace, no calamity… which nature cannot repair” (186). Yet, “Fate” talks about how nature is “the snap of
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