Historical+Criticism

 Page Author: Shelby M.
 The poem “Nature” greatly differs from other literary work of this time period. The literature that was being produced was mainly fictional. Charles Dickens wrote several novels during this time and his work was emblematic of the literature which was being written during this era. Emerson’s poem, however, greatly differed from other work as it embodied Transcendentalism. It challenged the status quo and the religious and social customs of society (Phillips 96).  Articulated in this poem is the belief that nature is divine, and through nature God can be accessed. Emerson goes on to elucidate how nature is divided into four segments: commodity, beauty, language, and discipline (Bloom 121).

 Commodity: Emerson explicates how nature is intricately designed to provide for man not just materials, but also the process of creating these materials. Nature provides all which man requires to subsist, and performs in order to benefit mankind (Bloom 130).

 Beauty: Man’s instinctive desire for beauty can be satiated by nature. “All men are in some degree impressed by the face of the world” states Emerson in this poem (Johnson 58).

 Language: Through nature, man is able to develop a more personal relationship with God. One can learn more through their own encounters, rather than observing the past and past traditions ([|Benson]1571).

 Discipline: Ralph Waldo Emerson discusses the aspect of right and wrong in nature, now termed karma. A transgression is reprimanded, and a noble action is rewarded (Johnson 99).

 During the time in which //Nature// was composed, society was fixed in its conservative mannerisms and traditions. Emerson’s poem and hislaissez-faire convictions were considered revolutionary (Phillips 104). He greatly opposed slavery, encouraged women’s liberties, and favored the middle class; society disagreed with all of these views ([|Benson]1572).

 Literary work that could juxtapose with "Nature" would be books written during the protests during the 1960's as many of the protesters shared many Transcendentalism beliefs such as the divinity of nature, equality, and women's rights  ([|Wright] 195).



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