My Definition: Transcendentalism I would define transcendentalism as an overwhelming sense of being independent, by practicing free thought, not being influenced by anything or anybody to make your own decisions, and the serenity of nature being a divine presence in your spiritual well-being. A person who is transcendental should be able to awaken every morning and look outside and see past the everyday outside objects such as the trees or the clouds. This person should be able to feel the calmness and peace that these simple wonders provide. It is almost a curiosity that the observer should experience, with losing themselves in such magnificent elements. When Ralph Waldo Emerson observed nature, he states that, “nothing can befall him in life, no disgrace or calamity, when he is observing nature.” He is speaking of almost being absorbed into nature and becoming a part of it.
Tanyesha Jackson English Composition 3 February 3rd, 2013 Moyer Our Need for Wilderness In Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey states, “Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water (p. 148)”. Wilderness is often seen as an outlet, a place to go to escape from reality and the troubles of the world. There is a sense of serenity and one often feels at peace as a result of the quiet and slow-paced lifestyle. Using the following readings: Jennifer Sinor (“Confluences”), Edward Abbey (“Serpents of Paradise”), and Gary Snyder (“Mid-August…), I will argue that wilderness is an alternative to the chaos and busyness of urban life. Wilderness helps individuals overlook their problems.
Samurais are mostly known for the honor that they have for their country and themselves. This is honor evident in their peaceful ideals, prejudice outlooks, and combat lifestyle for samurais between the thirteenth century and the sixteenth century. The way of a samurai can be peaceful which is exhibited mostly in Document 2 when Dogon said, “...avoid evil, do nothing about life-and-death, be merciful to all sentient things, respect superiors and sympathize with inferiors...” Dogon’s point of view is the most peaceful most likely because of his belief in Zen Buddhism which evidently influence his ideals. In Document 3 Hojo Shigetoki demonstrated peaceful ideals when he stated, “...do not make the obvious distinction between good and not-good... give the same treatment to all, and thus you will get the best out of the worst.” With this it shows how much honor the samurais took in not just themselves but other people and they way of which everyone was treated. Document 7 continues the theme of peaceful ideals when it states, “In their hearts, they are compassionate and circumspect.” The peaceful ideals are a testament to the way of life filled with honor that the samurais lived.
He uses line in his work to create sharp patterns which create fluidity in his work. He also uses different shapes to present ideas about nature and other things. By using colour and pattern he is able to present different emotions through his work. He does this by using colour in certain areas to exaggerate these features and present different ideas. All of these further the aesthetic look of his work as well.
Compare Hardy’s methods of presentation of the characters of Gabriel Oak and Farmer Boldwood and examine their significance in the novel. In Far From the Madding Crowd Hardy shows his interest in the changing face of rural agriculture in England during the nineteenth century and the social concerns relating to this. He highlights how it is possible for people to move from one social group to another; conveyed through the experiences of different characters in the novel. Hardy’s methods of presenting the characters Gabriel Oak and Farmer Boldwood are similar as in both cases a clear description of appearance and significance of name is provided, however Hardy also illustrates their characters through the use of direct speech, authorial comment and imagery to convey contrasts and similarities. The reader is continuously reminded of Oak and Boldwood’s ongoing relationship throughout the novel with Bathsheba; this is reflected through the natural surroundings and sheep farming to establish dramatic effects on the characters and the growth of their relationships.
In both poems ‘Where I Come From by Elizabeth Brewster’ and ‘Summer Farm by Norman MacCaig’, the author makes a dominant connection between the natural world and mankind by addressing the importance of digging down to your roots, finding your own identity through it and also focusing on how nature alters to fit with your emotional state. In ‘Where I Come From by Elizabeth Brewster’, it concentrates on idea that wherever you come from, you carry a sense of that place in your mind. By trying to convey this message and create the effect of a nostalgic poem, the author had used many techniques such as sibilance, similes, alliteration and metaphors. On the other hand, in ‘Summer Farm by Norman MacCaig’, the author’s central idea is to get across the message that the natural world is created according to the emotions of man. The author tries to put across his thoughts through using techniques such as juxtaposition, introspective perception, recursion, rhyme, assonance and alliteration.
Lauren Bitzer Professor Harding English 236: British Literature February 2, 2014 Short Paper Simplistic Beauty and Human Desire “Nutting” (1798/1800) by William Wordsworth is a poem about nature and its simplistic beauty. While reading Wordsworth it is obvious that nature is something that the author uses to release his deepest emotions; some which are tangled up as messages that must be detangled to understand. “Nutting” is a poem about a young boy and his desire to collect nuts from a forest that he has embarked on. He moves around the traveled forest with ease until he comes to a small nook that has not yet been discovered. The boy is overjoyed by the sight and decides to use the untouched beauty for his own pleasure by laying and playing in it.
While he travels to his family in Geneva, he finds a source of tranquility in nature to keep him sane. The scenery soothes him, in which he states in this quote: “I remained two days at Lausanne, in this painful state of mind. I contemplated the lake: the waters were placid; all around was calm, and the snowy mountains, ‘the palaces of nature,’ were not changed. By degrees the calm and heavenly scene restored me, and I continued my journey towards Geneva.” Although in many instances Dr. Frankenstein’s feelings were enhanced by nature, he was not the only one who sought a general exhilaration of spirits through one’s surroundings. The monster’s declaration of
Nature helped change Mary’s physical and mental attitude towards life and the others around her. Mary and Colin’s healing process follows the seasons; Mary arrives towards the end of winter which complements her attitude and mood towards everyone when she arrives at Misselthwaite Manor. During the summer Colin heals from a hunchback to a healthy boy and finally meets his father (Zirker 114). Through nature the characters change, which brings us to the theme of the power of nature. The theme, power of nature, is represented by the symbol, nature.
Emerson states that “[He has] enjoyed a perfect exhilaration in nature” (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Pg 2, Line 5). By using the first person perspective in the piece of work, Emerson shows that he has likes to live in the wild and separate from the man-made society. Projecting himself as a person with experience will influence the ethos and make it stronger. Due to the reason that it is a