Emerson’s and Whitman’s view of nature goes beyond the trees that line streets or the flowers in vases. Both men find that nature has a much deeper harmony, and is of great value. This is in line with the transcendental views they both express. Nature is portrayed in a more spiritual light by Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson, both of whom wrote about “Self-Reliance”, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nature”. Both Emerson and Whitman see nature as a guide who, with the right perspective, illuminates the divine order of existence and the qualities of an individual.
Emerson is convinced that nature contains essential knowledge. It can help us to truly understand the world: “All Science aims to find one theory, namely a theory about nature” (215). Emerson claims that the nature holds a truth. He states, “We can approximate the idea of creation only in a very distant way.” (215). Science has not been able explain everything, and we have no explanation of how life was created. Nature is our ultimate teacher and we can learn so much from it. Emerson knows this and asks why we shouldn’t have a poetry, philosophy, or religion that is based not on tradition but rather revelation, as well as a faith based not on their history, but ours? (214). Whitman also wonders as he observes an oxen lying in the shade, “what do you express with your eyes?” (1338). Emerson as well as Whitman believe that learning is best done by oneself, not by mimicking others. Instead, they suggest tapping into the latest thoughts in nature. Emerson states, “Man’s timidity and apologetic is evident…He will not even say ‘I’m’ or I’m’ without quoting some saints or sages” (278). Emerson is critical of the fact that people think this way in order to live a fulfilling life. He uses nature in his criticism to demonstrate this. He says, “These flowers under my window are what they are. They exist today with God.” (278). Whitman also emphasizes to “possess/hold the good of Earth and Sun” (32) “no longer look through/the eyes/of the Dead” (34-35) and “nolonger take things in second, third or fourth hand” Both men believe that humans must connect with nature’s divine order in order to fully understand themselves and their place in the world. Emerson says, “He will not be strong and happy until he is living with nature now, above the time” (278).
How one perceives nature will determine if there is a true connection. One can only appreciate and understand nature’s divine order if they can view it from a neutral perspective. Emerson stated that, “few mature adults can perceive nature.” The sun is not seen by most people. They have at least a superficial view” (216). Emerson’s point is that the majority of people have preconceived notions or ideas about their surroundings. Nature can be experienced in ways that reflect the individual’s intuition. Emerson provides the metaphor “The sun does not illuminate the child’s heart or eyes, but only the man’s eye” (216). The child “retains the spirit of childhood” and doesn’t rely on his knowledge but explores the world with genuine curiosity. Whitman admits to not knowing the answer when the child asks him, “What does grass look like?” (98). He doesn’t try to explain it, but simply says, “I am no more knowledgeable than he is” (99-101). Whitman suggests that he can see the world through the eyes of a child. He lets himself ponder and explore the issue, not simply repeating what was told. He is aware that his ideas and wonders are valid and meaningful. Though they may appear absurd, as when he refers to the grass in his poem as “the beautiful uncut strands of graves” (110), he eventually comes to realize that they are true. Whitman realizes that “the smallest seed shows there really is no death.” (126). He also discovers “to be dead is different than what anyone thought” (130).
Nature can be a great teacher when viewed from the correct perspective. As humans are part of nature, they can also help us learn about ourselves. Emerson uses the concept of transcendental self-reliance to explain nature. He says, “The poise and self-reliance of all living things, including the tree that bends to recover from the wind and the vegetable and animal’s vital resources, are examples of the soul which is self-sufficient and self-reliant” (279). Emerson, by observing how nature works, understands that humans can also operate best in the same way. Whitman, observing nature, says, “I’m sure I could live among animals. They seem so placid, and/self-contained.” (684-684). He says that in observing the “self-contained” nature of animals, he noticed, “They brought me tokens, they showed them plainly to be in possession.” (693-693). Whitman sees himself in the animals and learns to be self-reliant by observing them.
Emerson, Whitman and others understand that people are dominated by materialistic concerns. They also believe that living in this way is not the right way to go about life. Both have a close relationship with the natural world and emphasize its importance in relation to critical thinking, self-reliance and transcendental elements. If you adopt a child-like perspective and take in all the beauty of the world, you can find out more about yourself and the divine order.
Sources Cited
Emerson Ralph W. Nature. 8th ed. Vol. A. W. W. Norton published a book in 2012 in New York. 214-218. Print.
–. The Norton Anthology of American Literature, “Self-Reliance”. 8th ed. Vol. A. W. W. Norton published a book in New York City in 2012. 277-280. Print.
Whitman, Walt. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vol. A. W. W. Norton published the work in New York in 2012. 1330-1374. Print.
