Comparing Emerson And Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Protecting the natural world is crucial for human survival. If is destroyed then humanity will be destroyed as well. Because humanity is so dependent on nature, many Americans believe life should be lived in a way that values and respects nature. These beliefs are dependent in the Native Americans myth “The Sky tree” and in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s story “from Nature”. Both Emerson and the Native Americans recognize the value of nature but for different reasons.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s main argument is pointing out the beauty of nature and how nature reflects the beauty of human nature, and that connecting to nature brings joy and inner peace. An example of that is “the stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are always inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression when the mind is open to their influence” (206). The quote is telling us when we/ people are so caught up in work, or any
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The Native American myth the sky tree values nature because of what it provides for the survival of all living things. In the story, the old chief is ill, and he had a dream of there being a fruit at the top of the tree to cure his illness. But the tree is the only source for food for the people in skyland. He had his wife go cut the tree down to get the fruit. Since the old chief was selfish the tree fell down into a hole, and his wife went after it, also a couple of animals helped bring the tree back to life by gathering soil. Once the water and soil settled in, the tree took root, and fell beside the wife. The value of nature is to use less selfishness and having more appreciation of what nature brings to us. When “all of the water animals began to dive down and bring up soil” (11). They created an island and which the tree took root. This action is symbolic of the life support nature gives to humanity. The value of nature is connected to the humanity’s dependence on