Analysis Of The Prose Passage: Ralph Waldo Emerson
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In the Prose Passage given, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s attitude towards nature is shown through the way he writes. He illustrates to the reader that he not only enjoys nature, but he feels connected to it. The author uses special diction, imagery, tone, and syntax to deliver his attitude to the reader.
To start, the tone of the diction used in the passage have mainly positive connotations. For example, "wisdom", "delighted", "blithe", "breathless", and "perfect". Many of these words are used to describe the authors amazement of the wilderness. There are some words found in the passage that have negative connotations, however they are closely followed by either a word or phrase that is positive. Also, the level of diction used in this passage…show more content… Imagery can be used to make a picture in the readers head which will help them to feel the same as the author. In this passage of "Nature", we as readers find most of the imagery used to be ocular. "... but the same scene which yesterday breathed perfume and glittered as for the frolic of the nymphs is overspread with melancholy to-day" (Emerson, Nature); this line gives a great example of the imagery used by Emerson. The phrase "breathed perfume" uses olfactory and help us readers to reflect upon the natural smell of nature. From this we can conclude that Emerson finds the perfume of nature to be relaxing and refreshing. The next phrase description is the nature being glittered, this could be how the sun shines on the snow in the winter and produces a simple sparkle or in the summer when the earth seems to glitter with liveliness. Next, Emerson also reflects upon how the nature may look less uplifting by saying "overspread with melancholy". This gives the reader a visual that is mostly negative in perspective however, it is an example of imagery used in the passage. There are plently of other examples of imagery used in this selected passage that also help to deliver the attitude of