Emerson Responce

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While Self-Reliance focuses on individuality and transcendentalism, Nature focuses on the themes of transcendentalism and solitude and beauty in nature. However there are a few common factors between the two books such as the concept of transcendentalism and the relationship between humanity and God. The book is divided into eight chapters. There are reoccurring themes within the chapter, such as each individual is a manifestation of creation and as such holds the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe. Another theme is the idea of solitude in nature, the idea of going out without any comfortabilities that the modern and physical world could provide. By living a simple and solitary life, Emerson maintains the idea that we retain our original sense of wonder even when viewing familiar aspects of nature. Within the next four chapters Emerson discussed the themes of commodity, beauty, language, and discipline. He states nature is an experience of solitude and therefore can remain inaccessible. He states, “If the starts should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generation the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown” (Emerson, Nature, 215). Through Emerson’s experience in the wilderness without material objects, the concepts of wisdom, happiness and simplicity can be expressed. Emerson insists on the importance of the link between man and nature. He states, “His intercourse with heaven and earth becomes part of his daily food. In the Presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows” (Emerson, Nature, 217). He continues to express his connection with nature, describing the natural beauty and the colorful spirit of nature. In both Self-Reliance and Nature, Emerson argues that all the questions people have developed about themselves and the universe, including their relationship with God, nature, and humanity, have answers that can be found through experiencing the world. He continues the theme that each person is a unique manifestation of divine creation. To summarize the main themes Emerson presents within Self-Reliance and Nature, he mainly relies on humanities relationship with God, individuality and identity, and the idea of transcendentalism.