Figurative Language In Ralph Waldo Emerson's Essay Nature

In the essay Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson, the author believes that nature is a wonderful being, it is to be revered, and that nature is better than most people. Emerson conveys this attitude through the use of figurative language, comparing, and contrasting. Mainly, Emerson uses personification to represent nature as a living, breathing thing that is wiser than many humans. In addition, Emerson uses comparisons to show that only wise men know not to show a mean appearance, but this is a concept that nature easily grasps. Finally, Emerson uses contrasting to show that children can connect to nature easier than adults due to their simplistic outlook on life. Without a doubt, Emerson reveres nature and believes that it requires much effort to

Emerson compares nature to people and often shows that nature can truly only be compared to the wisest of men. The essay Nature states “Nature never wears a mean appearance. Neither does the wisest man extort her secret, and lose his curiosity by finding out all her perfection.” This comparison between nature and the wisest man shows that while it is easy for nature to comprehend the importance of not showing malice to the outside world, only certain people can comprehend this. In addition, Emerson, in his essay Nature, states “I am glad to the brink of fear. In the woods, too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough [dead skin] and at what period so ever of life is always a child.” Emerson compares a man casting off his years to a snake casting off his dead skin. This comparison backs up the idea that people need to be able to look deep inside of themselves to find the ability to love nature and be able to be at peace with the world. By casting off this outside shell, people can go back to the innocence of childhood, when they were able to connect with nature and love it for what it really is. For nature itself, finding peace with the rest of the world is not nearly as difficult as it is for people. Finally, the essay Nature states “Nature never became a toy to a wise spirit.” This comparison between nature and a toy shows that nature is