"Nature" is a long essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson and published by James Munroe and Company in 1836. In the essay, Emerson introduced the ideas of transcendentalism, a belief that values nature in a way different from traditional views. Transcendentalism teaches that the divine, or God, is present throughout nature, and that people can understand the world by studying it. Emerson's visit to the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris inspired a series of lectures he later gave in Boston, which were later published.

In the essay, Emerson describes four ways humans use nature: for basic needs, for enjoyment, for communication, and for learning about the world. These categories are called Commodity, Beauty, Language, and Discipline. After the success of "Nature," Emerson gave a speech titled "The American Scholar." This speech, along with his earlier lectures, helped shape transcendentalism and began his career as a writer.

Synopsis

In his essay "Nature," Emerson discusses an important question: why people do not fully appreciate the beauty of the natural world. He explains that humans are often distracted by daily tasks and responsibilities, while nature offers its gifts, but people do not return the favor. The essay is divided into eight sections: Nature, Commodity, Beauty, Language, Discipline, Idealism, Spirit, and Prospects. Each section explores a different way to understand the connection between humans and nature.

Emerson argues that to truly connect with nature, people must separate themselves from the problems and distractions created by society. He believed that being alone in nature is the best way to fully experience the world. He wrote, "To be truly alone, a person must separate from both their home and society. I am not alone when I read and write, even if no one is with me. But if a person wants to be truly alone, they should look at the stars."

When someone is truly alone in nature, it "takes them away" from the noise of daily life. Emerson said that society harms the complete connection between humans and nature, while nature helps humans in many ways. He explained, "Nature is not only the material humans use, but also the process and the result. All parts of nature work together to help humans. The wind spreads seeds, the sun heats the sea, the wind carries water to the fields, and ice in one part of the world causes rain in another. This rain helps plants grow, and plants help animals live. These endless cycles provide humans with what they need."

Emerson describes a spiritual connection between humans and nature. He believed that in nature, people can find its spirit and see it as a Universal Being. He wrote, "Nature is not fixed but changes. Spirit shapes and changes it. Know that the world exists for you. For you, the natural world is perfect."

Analysis

Emerson uses spirituality as a major theme in his essay. He believed that the divine could be seen in nature, which he described as something large and visible. This idea is called transcendentalism, a belief that people can see a new understanding of God and feel connected to the world around them. Emerson shows this belief by writing, "From the earth, as a shore, I look out into that silent sea. I seem to partake its rapid transformations: the active enchantment reaches my dust, and I dilate and conspire with the morning wind," suggesting that humans and the wind are connected. Emerson called nature the "Universal Being," meaning he saw a spiritual connection in the natural world. He wrote, "The aspect of nature is devout. Like the figure of Jesus, she stands with bended head, and hands folded upon the breast. The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship."

Emerson believed that humans must answer three spiritual questions about nature: "What is matter? Whence is it? And Whereto?" He argued that these questions can be answered by understanding that nature's spirit is expressed through humans, stating, "Therefore, that spirit, that is, the Supreme Being, does not build up nature around us, but puts it forth through us." Emerson believed that everything in nature and humans must be spiritual and moral, with a sense of goodness shared between them.

Influence

Nature caused disagreement among some people. A review published in January 1837 criticized the ideas in Nature and used the word "Transcendentalist" to describe the beliefs, a term that became widely used for the group.

Henry David Thoreau read Nature while he was a senior at Harvard College and was deeply influenced by it. This book became an important inspiration for Thoreau’s later works, including his key book Walden. Thoreau wrote Walden after living in a cabin on land owned by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Their long friendship gave Thoreau support as he worked to become a published writer.

Emerson’s ideas in Nature also influenced Charles Stearns Wheeler, who built a small shelter at Flints Pond in 1836. This shelter was considered the first example of Transcendentalist outdoor living. Wheeler used the shelter during his summer breaks from Harvard between 1836 and 1842. Thoreau stayed at Wheeler’s shelter for six weeks in the summer of 1837 and later decided to build his own cabin, which he completed at Walden in 1845. In 2018, Jeff Craig found the exact location of Wheeler’s shelter after searching for five years.