In the essay "Nature", by Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American spirit is defined as something found when one can embrace nature's beauty and begin to think. A transcendental writer, Emerson speaks of finding the divine in nature when one is able to turn away from society and see it with the innocence and simplicity of a child. The American spirit is defined in nature, as becoming one with someone's surroundings allows them to embark in something greater than themselves in its beauty. Joy should be apparent in nature, as it gives a true visual of the divine and allows for everyone who sees it to think, reflect and appreciate the universal soul. However, not everyone is able to find the divine in nature: "To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most people do not see the sun. …show more content…
Man must turn away from the rest of the earthly things, leaving behind anything that would distract him in order to truly find the joy present in nature. In this way, man must become to each become almost a poet who can see more than simply a tree or a star, but find the American spirit. To further illustrate the power of nature, Emerson speaks of how each aspect of nature can correspond to a part of human nature, from joy, youth, and beauty. When looking at nature a man must be able to see another reality: "if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds, will separate between him and what he touches". This truly embodies the American spirit as a man if able to leave the material world and see that God is ever-present in all things and most especially in