Walt Whitman"

● Walter Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist of the 19th century.
● He is considered one of the most influential poets in American literature.
● Whitman incorporated both transcendentalism and realism in his writings and is often
called the father of free verse, though he didn't invent it.
● He is famous for one of the most celebrated collection of poems in english history called
the "The leaves of grass" . Though it was first published in 1855, Whitman spent most of
his professional life writing, rewriting, and expanding it until his death in 1892. It's first
edition was a small book of twelve poems.
● these poems represents the celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity and
praises nature and the individual human's role in it. Rather than focusing on religious or
spiritual matters, Leaves of Grass focuses primarily on the body and the material world.
Its poems do not rhyme or follow standard rules for meter and line length.
● The work is considered notable for its discussion of delight in sensual pleasures during a
time when such topis were considered immoral.
● Modernist poet Ezra Pound called Whitman "America's poet... He is America."
● Whitman's work broke the boundaries of poetic form and is generally prose-like.
● It uses unusual images and symbols, including rotting leaves, tufts of straw, and
debris.[121]
● - Whitman openly wrote about death and sexuality, including prostitution.

Whitman's themes

Transcendent Power of Love, Brotherhood, and Comradeship: Whitman believed in the deep,
almost spiritual connection between individuals through love and friendship. He saw these
bonds as powerful forces that could transcend personal and societal boundaries, creating a
sense of unity and solidarity among people.

Imaginative Projection into Others' Lives: Whitman often placed himself in the shoes of others,
imagining their experiences and emotions. This empathetic approach allowed him to write about
diverse perspectives and understand the human condition more deeply.

Optimistic Faith in Democracy and Equality: Whitman was a strong advocate for democracy and
equality. He believed in the potential of a democratic society to uplift all individuals, promoting
fairness and justice. His poetry reflects an unwavering optimism that these ideals could be
realized.

Belief in Regenerative and Illustrative Powers of Nature and Its Value as a Teacher: Nature
played a crucial role in Whitman's poetry. He saw it as a source of renew al and wisdom,
offering lessons about life and existence. Whitman celebrated the natural world for its beauty
and its ability to inspire and instruct humanity.

Equivalence of Body and Soul and the Unabashed Exaltation of the Body and Sexuality:
Whitman viewed the body and soul as equally important and interconnected. He celebrated the
physical aspects of life, including sexuality, without shame. His poetry often exalted the human
body and its desires, emphasizing the harmony between physical and spiritual existence.

Whitman's language:

1. Idiosyncratic spelling and punctuation:

Whitman often used unique or unusual spelling and punctuation in his writing, making his style
distinctive.

2. Words used for their sounds as much as their sense; foreign languages:

Whitman chose words not just for their meaning, but also for how they sound. He sometimes
included words from other languages.

3 Whitman's vocabulary included terms from various fields of study and work. The sciences:
anatomy, astronomy, botany (especially the flora and fauna of America)

4. He used scientific terms, especially related to the body, stars, plants, and animals, often
focusing on those found in America.

5. Whitman included language and terms from different trades and professions, like carpentry.

6. He also used terminology related to the military, war, and sailing or the sea.

Whitman's poetic techniques:

1. Free verse: Whitman often writes without a regular rhythm or traditional rhyme scheme,
giving his poetry a more natural and flowing feel.
2. Repeated images, symbols, phrases, and grammatical units: He frequently uses the
same images, symbols, phrases, or sentence structures throughout his poems to create
emphasis and unity.
3. Enumerations and catalogs: Whitman likes to list things in his poems, often creating long
lists (catalogs) of people, objects, or ideas to capture the diversity and richness of life.
4. Anaphora (initial repetition): He often starts consecutive lines with the same word or
phrase to create a rhythmic and emphatic effect.
5. The Whitman "envelope": He sometimes starts and ends a poem or a section of a poem
with similar or identical lines or themes, creating a sense of closure and completeness.
6. Contrast and parallelism in paired lines: Whitman frequently uses contrasting ideas or
parallel structures in pairs of lines to highlight differences or similarities and to enhance
the overall impact of his poetry.

Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism an idealistic philosophical and social movement which developed in New

England around 1836 (mid 19th century) in reaction to rationalism. It centers around the belief
that spirituality cannot be achieved through reason and rationalism, but instead through
self-reflection and intuition. In other words, transcendentalists believe spirituality isn't something
you can explain; it's something you feel. A transcendentalist would argue that going for a walk in
a beautiful place would be a much more spiritual experience than reading a religious text.

The transcendentalism movement arose as a result of a reaction to Unitarianism as well as the

Age of Reason. Some of the transcendentalist beliefs are:

• Humans are inherently good

• Society and its institutions corrupted the purity of the individual.

• Insight and experience are more important than logic

• ⁠In addition, instead of needing a priest or minister to help someone connect with God,
Transcendentalists believed that within each person was the ability to connect with God.

"As i pondered in silence"

(Line by line meaning)

As I ponder'd in silence,

As I thought quietly to myself,

Returning upon my poems, considering, lingering long,

Thinking deeply about my poems, reflecting on them for a long time,

A Phantom arose before me, with distrustful aspect,

A ghostly figure appeared before me, looking doubtful,

Terrible in beauty, age, and power,

Awe-inspiring in its beauty, age, and strength,

The genius of poets of old lands,

It was the spirit of ancient poets,

As to me directing like flame its eyes,

It looked at me intensely, like a burning flame,

With finger pointing to many immortal songs,

Pointing to many timeless and famous poems,

And menacing voice, What singest thou? it said;

And in a threatening voice, it asked, "What do you sing about?"

Knowst thou not, there is but one theme for ever-enduring bards?

"Don’t you know that there is only one theme for poets who want their work to last forever?"

And that is the theme of War, the fortune of battles,

"And that theme is war, the outcomes of battles,"

The making of perfect soldiers?

"The creation of perfect soldiers?"

Be it so, then I answer'd,

"So be it," I replied,

I too, haughty Shade, also sing war-and a longer and greater one than any,

"I too, proud spirit, sing of war—and a longer and greater war than any other,"

Waged in my book with varying fortune-with flight, advance, and retreat-Victory deferr'd and
wavering,

"The war I write about in my book has different outcomes—it includes moments of fleeing,
moving forward, and retreating—victory is delayed and uncertain.

(Yet, methinks, certain, or as good as certain, at the last,)-The field the world;

"(Yet, I think, certain, or nearly certain, in the end)—the battlefield is the whole world;"

For life and death-for the Body, and for the eternal Soul,

"Fighting for life and death—for the body, and for the eternal soul,"

Lo! too am come, chanting the chant of battles, I, above all, promote brave soldiers.

"Look! I too have come, singing the song of battles. Above all, I encourage and honor brave
soldiers."

Analysis:

Whitman here attempts to establish a correlation between his poetry and traditional poetry. The
subjects of Whitman's poetry are not the established themes of traditional poetry, specifically the
epic. An epic is a long narrative poem about the deeds of a historical, traditional, or legendary
hero, with a background of warfare or the supernatural, written in a highly dignified style and
following other formal conventions of structure. Whitman's answer to the muse's query makes
clear his position. He feels that his poems do satisfy the criteria of the epic, for they deal with
the basic and universal problems of man. An epic reflects the main quality of an age, and in this
sense Whitman's Leaves of Grass is an epic poem. Traditional epics deal with war and heroism;
Whitman writes about them, but Whitman's wars are eternal and his battlefield is life; the
"soldiers" are all of humanity, and their victory is the triumph of the spirit over matter.

Ezra pound:

Ezra Pound was an influential poet and critic of the early 20th century, known for his
experimentation with language. Ezra Pound is considered to be one of the greatest poets of the
modernist era. He is known as the father of imagist movement, which focused on clear and
precise imagery in poetry. Pound and other imagists rejected the elaborate and fancy language
of the Victorian era, choosing a new style that often used very few words to convey their
message. Even though his style was different from classical poetry, he was still greatly
influenced by literary traditions.

-Modernism is a movement in art and philosophy which emerged in Europe at the end of the
19th century. Modernist writers used new forms of expression that were radically different from
what was known before. They went against the previous way of writing poems by changing the
style of writing, not following conventional rules of meter and rhyme. For example, In Modernist
poetry, poets usually stopped worrying about traditional rhythmic patterns and instead used free
verse.

- [ ] Imagism: It was a poetic movement of 1990s in which poets described images with clarity
and focus. Imagism was viewed as a reaction against Romantic and Victorian poetry, which
encouraged long, ornamental descriptions of events and things. In contrast, Imagism focused
on simplicity, clarity and precision in the description of images.

"A girl"

https://www.msmsol.com/2020/10/interpretation-of-girl-by-ezra-pound.html

Emily dickenson

● Emily Dickinson (1830 –1886) is one of America's greatest and most original poets of all
time.
● She attended Amherst Academy for seven years and briefly went to Mount Holyoke
Female Seminary, a calvinist school.
● She Failed to "convert" or conform to religious expectations of the school which
liberated her to think on her own.
● Dickinson spent much of her life in isolation. She was not publicly recognized during her
lifetime. Locals thought she was unusual because she liked to wear white clothing and
often refused to see visitors.
 ● Later in life, she rarely left her bedroom. She never married, and most of her friendships
were through letters.
● Although Dickinson wrote a lot, only 7 of her nearly 1,800 poems and one letter were
published while she was alive.
● After her death in 1886,her sister discovered over 1,000 poems in her bureau. Then, a
collection of her poems was published in 1890.
● The poems that were published were usually edited significantly to fit conventional poetic
rules.
● She was well read and was especially interested in British female contemporary writers:
George eliot, the Brontes, and Elizabeth Berrett Browning.

Emily's style:

Distinctive voice, looks inward:

She has a unique way of writing and often focuses on her inner thoughts and feelings.

Transformed traditional forms and meter of poetry to irregular meter:

She changed the usual patterns and rhythms of poetry to more uneven and irregular rhymes.

Slant rhyme:

She uses rhymes that are not exact but close, creating a subtle sound pattern.

Dash:

She frequently uses dashes in her writing for emphasis or to create pauses.

Unconventional capitalization:

She capitalizes words in unexpected ways to draw attention to them.

Her writing includes surprising and vivid pictures that make the reader think deeply.

"I felt a funeral in my brain"

https://poemanalysis.com/emily-dickinson/i-felt-a-funeral-in-my-brain/

(analysis)

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/emily-dickinson/i-felt-a-funeral-in-my-brain

(Themes)
Nature by Emerson

"Nature" is an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson that was first published in 1836. In this work,
Emerson reflects on the beauty and power of nature and argues that it can serve as a source of
inspiration and enlightenment for individuals. He encourages readers to look beyond the surface
of nature and appreciate its underlying spiritual essence. He also asserts that nature is not
separate from the individual but instead is an integral part of the self and can be perceived
through spiritual intuition. "Nature" is considered a seminal work in the American
Transcendentalist movement and is often seen as an expression of Emerson's philosophical
beliefs about the interconnectedness of all things. Emerson became known as the central figure
of his literary and philosophical group, now known as the American Transcendentalists. These
writers shared a key belief that each individual could transcend, or move beyond, the physical
world of the senses into deeper spiritual experience through free will and intuition. In this school
of thought, God was not remote and unknowable; believers understood God and themselves by
looking into their own souls and by feeling their own connection to nature.

1st paragraph (introduction)

Line 1: "Our age is retrospective. It builds the sepulchres of the fathers."

This line criticizes the current generation for being focused on the past.

"Sepulchres" are tombs, suggesting the current age is dwelling on the dead (past ideas) rather
than creating new ones.

Line 2: "It writes biographies, histories, and criticism."

This line expands on the idea of being retrospective. The current generation is more interested
in analyzing and documenting the past than creating their own future.

Line 3: "The foregoing generations beheld God and nature face to face; we, through their eyes."

This line suggests a contrast. Past generations had a direct experience with God and nature,
while the current generation only experiences them indirectly, through the interpretations of the
past.

Line 4: "Why should not we also enjoy an original relation to the universe?"

This line asks a question, challenging the status quo. Why shouldn't the current generation have
their own unique connection with the universe?

Line 5: "Why should not we have a poetry and philosophy of insight and not of tradition?"

This line advocates for a shift in perspective. The current focus is on traditional poetry and
philosophy, but the author argues for new forms based on personal understanding ("insight")
rather than inherited beliefs.
Line 6: "And a religion by revelation to us, and not the history of theirs?"

This line extends the call for originality to religion. The author believes the current generation
should seek their own spiritual truths, not just follow the historical doctrines of past generations.

Line 7: "Embosomed for a season in nature, whose floods of life stream around and through us,
and invite us by the powers they supply, to action proportioned to nature..."

This line uses vivid imagery to describe the abundance and potential of nature. We are
surrounded by the "floods of life" from nature, which offers us the power to act in a way that
aligns with its energy.

Line 8: "...why should we grope among the dry bones of the past..."

This line returns to the critique of dwelling on the past. "Dry bones" symbolize lifelessness,
suggesting the past offers no nourishment for the current generation.

Line 9: "...or put the living generation into masquerade out of its faded wardrobe?"

This line uses a metaphor to criticize blindly following past ideas. A "masquerade" is a costume
party, and a "faded wardrobe" represents outdated clothing. The author argues that the current
generation shouldn't wear the ill-fitting clothes of the past.

Line 10: "The sun shines to-day also."

This line emphasizes the ongoing nature of life and possibility. The sun, a symbol of new
beginnings and potential, continues to shine, offering opportunities for the current generation.

Line 11: "There is more wool and flax in the fields. There are new lands, new men, new
thoughts."

This line highlights the abundance of resources and potential for creativity. New materials (wool
and flax), new places (lands), and new perspectives (men and thoughts) are all available for the
current generation to utilize.

Line 12: "Let us demand our own works and laws and worship."

This line concludes with a call to action. The current generation should claim their own creative
endeavors ("works"), social structures ("laws"), and spiritual practices ("worship").

Overall, the passage argues for the importance of originality and direct experience. The current
generation shouldn't be confined by the past, but should instead create their own unique
relationship with the world, nature, and the divine.

(2nd paragraph)

Undoubtedly we have no questions to ask which are unanswerable."

Explanation: This means that any question we can think of has an answer, even if we don’t
know it yet.

Example: If you wonder why the sky is blue, there is an answer that can be found in science (it’s
because of how sunlight interacts with the Earth's atmosphere). Even complex questions like
"What is the meaning of life?" have answers, though they might be more philosophical or
personal.

2. "We must trust the perfection of the creation so far, as to believe that whatever curiosity the
order of things has awakened in our minds, the order of things can satisfy."

Explanation: We should trust that the world is well-made. If something in the world makes us
curious, the world itself contains the answers to our questions.

Example: Imagine you see a rainbow and wonder how it’s formed. By studying the natural world
(like learning about light refraction in water droplets), you can satisfy your curiosity. Nature gives
you both the question and the answer.

3. "Every man's condition is a solution in hieroglyphic to those inquiries he would put."

Explanation: Each person’s life situation is like a coded message (like hieroglyphics) that holds
the answers to their questions. The experiences and challenges you face are the universe’s way
of teaching you something important.

Example: If someone is going through a tough time at work, the struggles they face might help
them understand their own strengths and weaknesses. Later, they might realize that those
challenges helped them grow, even if they didn't see it at the time.

4. "He acts it as life, before he apprehends it as truth."

Explanation: People live through their experiences before they fully understand the deeper
meaning or truth behind them.

Example: A person might go through a difficult breakup and not understand why it happened.
Later on, they might realize that the breakup taught them important lessons about love,
self-respect, or what they need in a partner.

5. "In like manner, nature is already, in its forms and tendencies, describing its own design."

Explanation: Nature is constantly showing us its purpose and design through its patterns, forms,
and behaviors.

Example: The way bees pollinate flowers isn’t just a random act—it’s part of nature’s design to
help plants reproduce. By observing this, we can understand more about how ecosystems work
and the interconnectedness of life.

6. "Let us interrogate the great apparition, that shines so peacefully around us."
Explanation: We should closely examine and question the natural world, which seems grand
and serene, to understand it better.

Example: If you’re fascinated by a beautiful sunset, you might ask questions about why it
happens (learning about the Earth’s rotation and atmosphere). This curiosity can lead to a
deeper appreciation and understanding of nature.

7. "Let us inquire, to what end is nature?"

Explanation: We should seek to understand the ultimate purpose or goal of nature. What is
nature trying to achieve or show us?

Example: By studying the cycles of life, like the way plants grow, die, and decompose to nourish
the soil, we might understand that nature operates in cycles and has a purpose in maintaining
balance in the ecosystem.

(3rd paragraph)

All science has one aim, namely, to find a theory of nature."

● Meaning: The ultimate goal of science is to understand how the natural world works as
a whole. Scientists want to find a single explanation that can describe all of nature.
● Example: Scientists study everything from the smallest particles to the vast universe,
hoping to find a unified theory that explains everything—like how gravity and other forces
work together.

"We have theories of races and of functions, but scarcely yet a remote
approach to an idea of creation."

● Meaning: We have developed theories to explain specific things, like how different
species evolved or how the human body works. However, we are still far from
understanding the entire process of how everything was created.
● Example: We have the theory of evolution to explain how species change over time, but
we don’t fully understand how life began in the first place.

"We are now so far from the road to truth, that religious teachers dispute
and hate each other, and speculative men are esteemed unsound and
frivolous."

● Meaning: Society is currently divided. Religious leaders argue with each other about the
truth, and people who think deeply (speculative men) are often seen as out of touch or
not serious.
● Example: Different religious groups might argue over the nature of God or the creation
of the world, while philosophers or scientists proposing new, unconventional ideas might
be dismissed or ridiculed.
"But to a sound judgment, the most abstract truth is the most practical."

● Meaning: For someone who thinks clearly, even the most complex and theoretical ideas
can be very useful in real life.
● Example: Understanding the abstract theory of evolution helps in practical applications
like medicine, where it’s used to develop vaccines and understand how diseases evolve.

"Whenever a true theory appears, it will be its own evidence. Its test is, that
it will explain all phenomena."

● Meaning: When a truly accurate theory is found, it won’t need extra proof because it will
clearly explain everything it’s supposed to. The fact that it can explain all related
phenomena will be proof that it’s true.
● Example: When Einstein’s theory of relativity was proposed, it didn’t just explain gravity
better than before; it also predicted things like the bending of light by gravity, which was
later observed. This showed the theory was likely true.

"Now many are thought not only unexplained but inexplicable; as

language, sleep, madness, dreams, beasts, sex."

● Meaning: Currently, there are many things in the world that we either don’t understand
or think might be impossible to explain.
● Example: Even today, scientists don’t fully understand why we dream or what exactly
causes certain mental illnesses. These mysteries are still being explored.

(4th paragraph)

Philosophically considered, the universe is composed of Nature and the

Soul."

● Meaning: From a philosophical perspective, the entire universe can be divided into two
parts: everything that is outside of us (Nature) and our inner selves (the Soul).
● Example: Imagine you are standing in a forest. The trees, the sky, the
animals—everything around you is part of Nature. Your thoughts, feelings, and
awareness are part of the Soul.

"Strictly speaking, therefore, all that is separate from us, all which
Philosophy distinguishes as the NOT ME, that is, both nature and art, all
other men and my own body, must be ranked under this name, NATURE."

● Meaning: Anything that is not part of our inner self, including other people, objects, and
even our own body, is considered Nature. This is the "NOT ME" part of the universe.
 ● Example: When you think of your own body, or other people around you, or even a
painting on the wall, all of these are part of Nature, because they are outside of your
inner self.

In enumerating the values of nature and casting up their sum, I shall use
the word in both senses; -- in its common and in its philosophical
import."

● Meaning: When I talk about the value or importance of nature, I will use the word
"nature" in two different ways. First, I’ll use it in the everyday sense (like trees, rivers,
animals), and second, in a broader, more philosophical sense (everything that is not part
of the inner self, including both natural and human-made things).

"In inquiries so general as our present one, the inaccuracy is not material;
no confusion of thought will occur."

● Meaning: Since our discussion is very broad and general, it won’t cause any problems
or confusion to switch between these two meanings of "nature." The differences won’t
lead to misunderstandings.
●

"Nature, in the common sense, refers to essences unchanged by man;

space, the air, the river, the leaf."

● Meaning: Normally, when we talk about Nature, we are referring to things in the world
that haven't been altered by humans, like rivers, trees, air, and space.
● Example: A mountain, a wild river, or a forest are examples of Nature because they
exist without human intervention.

"Art is applied to the mixture of his will with the same things, as in a house,
a canal, a statue, a picture."

● Meaning: Art, on the other hand, is what happens when humans take natural things and
change them or create something new, like building a house or painting a picture.
● Example: A sculpture made from stone or a painting of a landscape is Art because it’s a
result of human creativity and effort, transforming natural materials.

"But his operations taken together are so insignificant, a little chipping,

baking, patching, and washing, that in an impression so grand as that of
the world on the human mind, they do not vary the result."
 ● Meaning: Even though humans create and change things, these actions are small in
comparison to the vastness of the natural world. The grand impression of Nature on our
minds remains powerful and dominant, no matter what humans do.
● Example: Think about how small a house or a garden seems when you stand at the
edge of a vast ocean or look up at the night sky filled with stars. The impact of nature is
so immense that human creations seem tiny in comparison.

1st chapter (Nature)

- [ ] para 1

- [ ] To truly be alone, a person needs to get away not just from their room but also from society.
Even when I'm reading and writing alone, I don't feel lonely because my thoughts keep me
company. But if someone wants to experience real solitude, they should look at the stars. The
light from those heavenly worlds creates a barrier between us and everything else we touch. It's
as if the sky was made clear on purpose to give us a sense of the divine. Imagine if the stars
only appeared once every thousand years! People would be amazed and cherish that memory.
Yet, every night these beautiful stars come out, lighting up the universe with their encouraging
smile.

- [ ] the context of looking at the stars, he means that the light coming from the stars creates a
separation or a kind of invisible wall between us (humans) and everything else we come into
contact with. This barrier is not physical but metaphorical—it's like a boundary that the light from
the stars creates, making us feel separated from the ordinary world around us. It's as if the stars'
light sets us apart and gives us a feeling of being connected to something higher or more
sublime.

- [ ] para 2

The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are inaccessible..."

* People feel a special respect for the stars because they're always there but so far away that
we can't reach them.

"...but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their influence."

* All things in nature can also create this feeling of connection if we are open to their impact
on us.

"Nature never wears a mean appearance."

* Nature always looks beautiful and never appears ugly or insignificant.

"Neither does the wisest man extort her secret, and lose his curiosity by finding out all her
perfection."

* Even the smartest person doesn't try to force nature to reveal all its secrets. They don't lose
their curiosity by trying to understand everything about nature.

"Nature never became a toy to a wise spirit."

* Nature is never seen as just a plaything or something trivial to a wise person.

"The flowers, the animals, the mountains, reflected the wisdom of his best hour, as much as
they had delighted the simplicity of his childhood."

* Nature, like flowers, animals, and mountains, shows a wise person its beauty and wisdom,
just as it delighted them when they were children and everything was simple and wondrous.

- [ ] The stars make us feel respectful because they're always there yet distant. Nature can also
inspire this feeling if we're open to it. Nature always looks beautiful, never plain. Even the wisest
person doesn't try to know everything about nature, keeping their curiosity alive. Nature is never
just a plaything for a wise person. Flowers, animals, and mountains show wisdom to a wise
person, just like they brought joy in childhood.

(3rd paragraph)

In simpler terms, Emerson is saying that when we talk about nature this way, we're not just
talking about individual objects like trees or fields. Instead, we're talking about the overall
impression or feeling that all these natural things create together. He compares how a
wood-cutter sees a tree merely as a piece of timber to be cut down, while a poet sees it as
something much more beautiful and meaningful. Even when we look at a landscape made up of
many farms, each owned by different people, there's something more to it that nobody can own
or control. Emerson calls this "the horizon," which only a poet, with their ability to see and
appreciate the beauty of all the parts together, truly owns. He suggests that this ability to see the
bigger picture is the most valuable part of nature, even though it can't be owned or bought like
the land itself.

(4th paragraph)

1. Honestly, very few adults truly appreciate nature.

2. Many people don't really see or appreciate the beauty of the sun. Their perception of it is
shallow.
3. The sun may only light up a person's eyes, but it shines into a child's eyes and heart,
filling them with wonder.
 4. A true lover of nature is someone whose inner and outer senses are in harmony, who
still retains the innocence and wonder of childhood even as they grow older.
5. For them, connecting with heaven and earth is as essential as eating food every day.
6. When they're in nature, they feel a wild joy, even when they're dealing with real sorrows.
7. Nature seems to say to them, "You are my creation, and despite your troubles, you will
find happiness with me."
8. It's not just the sun or summer that brings them joy; every hour and season has its own
delights.
9. Each moment corresponds to a different state of mind, from the stillness of noon to the
darkness of midnight.
1. Nature is a backdrop that suits both joyful and sorrowful moments equally well.
2. When you're in good health, breathing fresh air feels like a healing medicine.
3. Even in simple, everyday situations like walking across a plain field with snow puddles at
twilight under a cloudy sky, I've felt a wonderful sense of excitement without any specific
reason.
4. I'm so happy that it's almost scary.
5. In the woods, a person can shed their age and feel as youthful as a snake shedding its
old skin. No matter how old they are, they feel like a child.
6. Being in the woods feels like being forever young.
7. In these places created by nature, there's a sense of order and holiness, like an
everlasting celebration. It's hard to imagine ever getting tired of them.
8. In the woods, we reconnect with our ability to think clearly and our faith in something
greater.

In these lines Emerson is actually expressing how he perceives nature. He says that no matter
what hardships or challenges he faces, nature has the power to heal and restore him, as long
as he retains his ability to see and appreciate the world around him.

He further says that whenever he is surrounded by nature, his sense of self-importance or

egotism disappears.

He feels like he has become a clear eyeball, which means that he's fully open and aware.

It makes him feel that he is nothing on his own, but he can see everything around him and feels
connected to the universe. He sees himself as a tiny part of something much larger, like a small
piece of God.

He further says that In this state of connection with nature, human relationships and social
labels lose their significance. They seem trivial and unimportant.

He finds a deeper sense of belonging and connection in the wildness of nature compared to the
artificiality of human settlements.
In the last line he is saying that When people are surrounded by calm and beautiful nature, like
a peaceful landscape or a distant horizon, they see something that's as beautiful as their own
nature or character.

5th paragraph:

The most wonderful thing about being in fields and woods is the feeling that there's a mysterious
connection between humans and plants.

I don't feel lonely or ignored when I'm surrounded by nature. The plants seem to acknowledge
me, and I acknowledge them in return.

When I see the branches swaying in the wind during a storm, it feels both new and familiar to
me. It surprises me, but it also feels like something I've known before.

This experience is similar to the feeling I get when I have a sudden realization or a surge of
positive emotion, as if I've had a moment of clarity or done something good.

6th paragraph

In simpler terms, Emerson is saying that the joy we feel in nature isn't just because of nature
itself, but also because of how we perceive and interact with it. He warns that we should enjoy
these pleasures in moderation because nature isn't always cheerful and beautiful; it can also be
sad or melancholic. He explains that nature reflects our own feelings and moods. For example,
someone experiencing hardship might not find comfort in a beautiful sunset. Similarly, someone
who has lost a loved one might not appreciate the beauty of the landscape as much. So, our
own emotions and experiences can affect how we see and enjoy nature.

2nd chapter (commodity)

Whoever considers the final cause of the world, will discern a multitude of usesthat result."

If you think about the ultimate purpose or reason for the existence of the world, you’ll notice
many different ways it can be useful.

"They all admit of being thrown into one of the following classes; Commodity; Beauty;
Language; and Discipline."

These uses can be grouped into four categories: Commodity (practical benefits), Beauty
(aesthetic qualities), Language (ways of communication), and Discipline (ways of learning and
training).
"Under the general name of Commodity, I rank all those advantages which our senses owe to
nature."

The category called Commodity includes all the practical benefits and pleasures that we get
from nature through our senses (like sight, touch, smell, etc.).

"This, of course, is a benefit which is temporary and mediate, not ultimate, like its service to the
soul."

These practical benefits are temporary and indirect, meaning they don’t last forever or serve the
deeper purpose of the soul.

"Yet although low, it is perfect in its kind, and is the only use of nature which all men
apprehend."

Even though these benefits are more basic compared to other purposes, they are well-suited to
their role and are the kind of benefits everyone understands.

"The misery of man appears like childish petulance, when we explore the steady and prodigal
provision that has been made for his support and delight on this green ball which floats him
through the heavens."

When we look at how nature constantly and abundantly provides for human needs and
pleasures on this Earth (which floats through space), human complaints seem trivial or childish.

"What angels invented these splendid ornaments, these rich conveniences, this ocean of air
above, this ocean of water beneath, this firmament of earth between?"

It’s almost as if heavenly beings created all the beautiful features and useful things in nature: the
sky above, the oceans below, and the land in between.

"this zodiac of lights, this tent of dropping clouds, this striped coat of climates, this fourfold
year?"
Think of the stars in the sky as a celestial map (zodiac), clouds as a protective covering (tent),
different climates as varying patterns (striped coat), and the changing seasons as a four-part
cycle (fourfold year).

"Beasts, fire, water, stones, and corn serve him."

Animals, fire, water, rocks, and crops all serve human needs and purposes.

"The field is at once his floor, his work-yard, his play-ground, his garden, and his bed."

The natural world (the field) can be used in many ways by humans: as a place to walk (floor),
work (work-yard), play (play-ground), grow food (garden), and rest (bed).

More servants wait on man Than he 'll take notice of."

There are more things in nature working to help and support humans than we usually realize or
acknowledge.

"Nature, in its ministry to man, is not only the material, but is also the process and the result."

Nature helps humans not just by providing physical resources (material) but also through the
ongoing processes and outcomes of natural events.

"All the parts incessantly work into each other's hands for the profit of man."

Every part of nature continually interacts and supports each other to benefit humans.

"The wind sows the seed; the sun evaporates the sea;"

The wind helps disperse seeds to new areas where they can grow. The sun heats the ocean,
causing water to evaporate.

"the wind blows the vapor to the field;"

The wind carries the evaporated water vapor from the sea to the land where it can be used.

"the ice, on the other side of the planet, condenses rain on this;"

Ice in faraway places (like polar regions) helps form clouds that eventually bring rain to other
regions.

"the rain feeds the plant; the plant feeds the animal;"

Rainwater nourishes plants, which then provide food for animals.

"and thus the endless circulations of the divine charity nourish man."

This continuous cycle of natural processes and resources (which can be seen as a form of
divine care or charity) ultimately supports and sustains human life.

In essence, the passage highlights the interconnectedness of nature’s processes and how they
work together in a cycle that benefits humanity, often without us fully recognizing the complexity
and abundance of this support.

"The useful arts are reproductions or new combinations by the wit of man, of the same natural
benefactors."

Useful inventions and technologies are basically new ways or combinations of using the natural
resources and forces that were originally provided by nature.

"He no longer waits for favoring gales, but by means of steam, he realizes the fable of Aeolus's
bag, and carries the two and thirty winds in the boiler of his boat."

Instead of relying on the natural wind to move ships, humans have invented steam engines,
which allow boats to move as if they had captured and controlled all the winds.
"To diminish friction, he paves the road with iron bars, and, mounting a coach with a ship-load of
men, animals, and merchandise behind him, he darts through the country, from town to town,
like an eagle or a swallow through the air."

To make travel smoother and faster, roads are paved with metal rails (like on railways). With this
innovation, vehicles (like trains) can carry people, animals, and goods quickly across distances,
similar to how birds fly through the sky.

"By the aggregate of these aids, how is the face of the world changed, from the era of Noah to
that of Napoleon!"

All these technological advancements have dramatically altered the world from ancient times
(like the era of Noah from biblical history) to more recent times (like the era of Napoleon
Bonaparte).

"The private poor man hath cities, ships, canals, bridges, built for him."

Even ordinary, less wealthy individuals benefit from large-scale infrastructure like cities, ships,
canals, and bridges that have been built to serve everyone.

"He goes to the post-office, and the human race run on his errands;"

When a person uses the post office, it’s as if everyone is working to deliver their messages and
packages.

"to the book-shop, and the human race read and write of all that happens, for him;"

At the bookstore, writers and publishers provide books and information about world events, so
the individual can stay informed without having to gather this knowledge themselves.

"to the court-house, and nations repair his wrongs."

When a person seeks justice in court, it is the collective effort of the society (and its legal
system) that addresses and fixes their grievances.
"He sets his house upon the road, and the human race go forth every morning, and shovel out
the snow, and cut a path for him."

If someone lives by the road, others (through public services) clear the snow and maintain the
road to make sure it’s accessible for them every day.

In summary, the passage emphasizes how human inventions and social systems have evolved
to manage and improve life, making it vastly easier and more connected than in earlier times. It
illustrates the profound changes in society due to technological and infrastructural
advancements.

But there is no need of specifying particulars in this class of uses."

We don’t need to list every single example or detail in this category of uses.

"The catalogue is endless, and the examples so obvious, that I shall leave them to the reader's
reflection,"

There are countless examples, and they are so clear and evident that I will let the reader think
about them on their own.

"with the general remark, that this mercenary benefit is one which has respect to a farther
good."

I want to point out that the practical benefits we get (the "mercenary benefit") are not just for
their own sake but serve a higher purpose.

"A man is fed, not that he may be fed, but that he may work."

The purpose of providing food is not just to satisfy hunger, but to enable a person to work and
contribute to larger goals.

In summary, the passage suggests that while there are many practical benefits provided by
nature and human ingenuity, these benefits are part of a larger purpose. The ultimate goal of
these benefits is to support and enable people to achieve greater things, like working and
contributing to society.

Beauty: (third chapter)

In this passage from Emerson's "Nature," he talks about how the love of beauty is a deep,
fundamental need for humans. He explains that the ancient Greeks even referred to the world
as "kosmos," which means beauty. This shows how deeply beauty is embedded in everything
around us. Emerson suggests that everything in nature, from the sky and mountains to trees
and animals, naturally gives us pleasure just by how they look. This pleasure comes from their
shapes, colors, movement, and how they are arranged together. He believes that our enjoyment
of these things is partly because of how our eyes work.

The Eye as the Best Artist:

The human eye is like an artist, making everything it sees into a pleasing scene by combining
shapes and colors in a balanced way. This is what he means when he says "the eye is the best
of artists." Emerson suggests that the human eye is a powerful artist, capable of turning even
ordinary scenes into beautiful compositions. This idea resonates with the philosophy of
aesthetic perception—the idea that beauty is not just in the object itself but in how we perceive
it. Example: Think of how a photographer captures a sunset. The sunset itself is beautiful, but
the way the photographer frames it, the angle, the timing, and the light all contribute to making
the image stunning.

Light as the first painter:

When Emerson says "light is the first of painters," he means that light plays a fundamental role
in how we see and experience beauty. Just as a painter uses colors to create beautiful images,
light "paints" the world around us by illuminating it, revealing details, and making things appear
more vibrant and alive. Think about a flower in a garden. During the day, when the sunlight
shines on it, the flower’s colors are bright and vivid. You can see the different shades of petals,
the texture of the leaves, and the way the light makes the flower glow. Now imagine the same
flower at night when there’s no light. It’s the same flower, but without light, you can’t see its
beauty in the same way.

Emerson is saying that light brings out the beauty in everything, just like a painter brings a blank
canvas to life with color. Without light, we wouldn’t be able to see and appreciate the beauty that
surrounds us. Emerson emphasizes that beauty is not just a concept but a real quality present
in all things. For instance, even something as grim as a corpse can appear beautiful under the
right light. When Emerson says "Even the corpse has its own beauty," he’s emphasizing that
beauty can be found in everything, even in things that might initially seem unpleasant or
unsettling. He’s suggesting that beauty is not just about what is traditionally attractive or lively,
but also about the deeper, natural processes and forms that exist in the world.Emerson is
encouraging us to see that even in death, there is a form of beauty—perhaps in the way the
body peacefully rests, or in the understanding that it’s part of the larger cycle of life.

He also highlights that many natural forms and shapes, such as acorns, grapes, pinecones, and
shells, are naturally pleasing to our eyes, which is why we often replicate/ imitate these shapes
in art and design. This imitation shows how deeply we appreciate the beauty of these forms.

To better understand beauty, we can think about it in three different ways.

1: Firstly, the basic pleasure we get from just seeing natural forms. The shapes (trees, sky,
moutains) and actions (flight of birds, rain, flow of a river) in nature are so impactful that they
feel like they are both helpful and beautiful. In other words, nature’s beauty is not just for show;
it also has a positive effect on us even in its simplest form.

Natural Forms as a Delight: Emerson suggests that just looking at natural elements—like trees,
the sky, or a distant horizon—brings us a deep sense of pleasure. This pleasure is not just
emotional but also physical and mental.

Nature as a Remedy: He compares this experience to medicine. When people feel stressed,
tired, or burdened by their work or social environments, spending time in nature can restore
their well-being. It’s as if nature has a healing power that rejuvenates both the body and mind.

Returning to Oneself: Emerson gives an example of a tradesman or an attorney who spends all
day in a noisy, stressful environment. When the step outside and see the sky or the woods, they
reconnect with a more peaceful, authentic part of themselves. Nature helps them feel more like
"a man again," meaning they feel more human, calm, and whole.

Importance of the Horizon: He also points out that our eyes and minds crave a broad view, like a
horizon. When we can see far into the distance, we feel a sense of freedom and endless
possibility, which keeps us energized and content. This is why, according to Emerson, people
are never tired of looking at vast, open spaces.

The author starts by saying that sometimes, just the beauty of nature is enough to satisfy us. It
doesn’t need to give us anything physical or material; its beauty alone can make us feel fulfilled.
He describes watching the morning unfold from a hill near his house. As the sun rises, the
scene is so beautiful that even an angel might feel the same strong emotions he feels. The
clouds in the sky look like thin bars, floating like fish in a sea of crimson light. The earth feels
like a shore, and the sky, like a vast, silent sea. He feels so connected to this scene that it’s like
he becomes part of it. The changes in the sky seem to affect his very being, making him feel
larger and more alive. The morning wind seems to touch not just his body, but his soul. He
marvels at how nature can lift us up and make us feel divine, using only simple, everyday
elements like light, wind, and sky. He suggests that if he has good health and one day to live,
that day spent in nature would be more valuable than all the wealth and power of emperors

He then compares different times of the day to famous, beautiful places: Dawn (early morning)
is like Assyria, an ancient empire known for its grandeur. Sunset and Moonrise are like Paphos,
a place associated with love and beauty in Greek mythology. Noon (midday) is like England,
representing clear thinking and understanding. Night is like Germany, symbolizing deep,
mystical philosophy and dreams. Each time of day offers him a different kind of richness and
experience, more valuable than anything an emperor could own.

In summary, Emerson is expressing how deeply nature can move us, making us feel connected
to something greater, with just its simple beauty. He finds in nature a richness and grandeur that
surpasses even the most powerful kingdoms.

In this passage, Emerson describes a beautiful sunset he saw in January and shares his
feelings about it. The mention of the January sunset serves to challenge the common belief that
winter is less beautiful or less enjoyable than other seasons. By focusing on the sunset during
this typically colder and less celebrated time, the writer highlights that beauty and charm exist
throughout the year, not just in spring or summer. He starts by saying that the sunset was just
as stunning as any other time, even though people might not notice such beauty as much in the
afternoon. He describes the clouds in the western sky turning into soft pink colors, and the
scene was so enchanting that it felt almost painful to go inside. Emerson wonders if there’s a
deeper meaning behind this beautiful scene that words from famous writers like Homer or
Shakespeare couldn’t fully capture. He reflects on how the bare trees looked like they were on
fire in the sunset’s light, with the blue sky behind them. Even the dried flower heads and
frost-covered plants added to the scene’s quiet, yet captivating, beauty. He feels that every
small detail in nature contributes to a kind of silent, beautiful music that touches the soul.

In this passage, Emerson is talking about how each season and even each moment of the year
has its own unique beauty, and he believes that nature is always wonderful, not just during the
warmer months. He starts by noting that people who live in cities often think that country
landscapes are only nice for part of the year, usually in summer. However, Emerson finds winter
scenery just as beautiful and believes that every season has its special charm. He thinks that
people can be just as moved by winter's beauty as they are by summer's warmth. Emerson
points out that if you pay close attention, you’ll see that every moment of the year has
something new and beautiful to offer. Each hour in the same field presents a different scene
that’s unique and will never be repeated. The sky changes constantly, affecting how the
landscape looks below. The crops in nearby farms change from week to week, altering how the
land appears. He also notes that the different plants that grow along roadsides and in fields
create a natural calendar of the seasons. These plants help mark the passage of time, making it
noticeable to someone who is observant. Birds and insects follow their own schedules and
contribute to the beauty of each season. The variety of life and color in nature changes
throughout the year, and every time of year has its own place in the cycle. Emerson uses the
example of a river to illustrate this. In July, a plant called blue pickerel-weed blooms in the river’s
shallow parts, and yellow butterflies flock around it. This display of purple and gold is so vibrant
that no artwork can match its beauty. The river, according to Emerson, is always celebrating,
with each month.

The writer is saying that the beauty we see and feel in nature is just a small part of its true
essence. There's something more profound beyond just the visible beauty. This list includes
various beautiful things in nature, like sunny days, fresh mornings, rainbows, mountains,
blooming orchards, stars, moonlight, and reflections in calm water. If we try too hard to seek out
or capture these beautiful things, they can start to seem fake or less meaningful. The more we
chase after them, the more they might seem like mere illusions or decorations. If you go outside
specifically to look at the moon, it might seem trivial or less impressive, like a piece of shiny
decoration (or "tinsel") rather than something truly beautiful. The moon’s light is more
meaningful and beautiful when it naturally lights up your path during a regular activity, like a
nighttime walk or a journey, rather than when you deliberately go out to see it. The writer reflects
on how the special beauty of autumn afternoons, with their golden light, is elusive. It’s hard to
fully capture or hold onto this beauty. If you try to deliberately find or capture the beauty of
autumn afternoons, it will seem to disappear. It’s like a mirage—something that looks beautiful
but vanishes when you try to grasp it. Looking for it too intentionally makes it seem less real or
accessible

2: moral goodness/ human will

For something to be truly perfect or beautiful, it needs a spiritual or deeper meaning beyond
just the physical. True, noble beauty that isn't superficial or overly sentimental comes from a mix
of higher ideals and strong personal will. Beauty shows up as a sign of goodness or moral
excellence, which is something divine or God-given. All natural actions, or things done in nature,
have a certain elegance or beauty to them. Acts of bravery or heroism are not only admirable
but also make the surroundings and people involved seem brighter or more impressive. When
we see great deeds, we learn that everyone has a rightful place in the universe and can
experience its wonders. Every thinking being is naturally entitled to all that nature offers, like a
personal inheritance. This entitlement to nature and its beauty is available to anyone who
chooses to embrace it. A person can choose to withdraw from the world and not enjoy its
benefits, but they still have a natural right to all of it just by being human. In essence, the
passage is saying that true beauty involves a deeper, spiritual aspect, and everyone has a
natural right to experience and enjoy the world, though many people choose to withdraw from it.
"In proportion to the energy of his thought and will, he takes up the world into himself."

Explanation: The more powerful and determined a person’s thoughts and desires are, the more
they can shape and influence their surroundings. A person with strong intentions can have a
significant impact on the world around them.

"All those things for which men plough, build, or sail, obey virtue;"

Explanation: The things people work for—like farming, building, or exploring—are all guided by
principles of goodness or virtue. Virtue influences and directs human efforts and achievements.

"The winds and waves," said Gibbon, "are always on the side of the ablest navigators."

Explanation: According to the historian Edward Gibbon, even natural forces like the winds and
waves seem to favor skilled and capable navigators. This suggests that competence and ability
often lead to success, with nature seemingly supporting those who are most skilled.

"So are the sun and moon and all the stars of heaven."

Explanation: Just as natural forces like the winds and waves support skilled navigators, celestial
bodies like the sun, moon, and stars also seem to align with and support those who undertake
noble and significant actions.

"When a noble act is done, -- perchance in a scene of great natural beauty; when Leonidas and
his three hundred martyrs consume one day in dying, and the sun and moon come each and
look at them once in the steep defile of Thermopylae;"

Explanation: When someone performs a heroic or noble act, it often takes place in a setting of
great natural beauty. For example, the famous stand of Leonidas and his 300 Spartans at
Thermopylae, a dramatic and heroic event, was set against a backdrop of natural grandeur.

"when Arnold Winkelried, in the high Alps, under the shadow of the avalanche, gathers in his
side a sheaf of Austrian spears to break the line for his comrades;"
Explanation: Another example is Arnold Winkelried’s legendary act of heroism in the Alps,
where he gathered enemy spears to break their line and save his comrades. Such acts of
bravery often occur in striking natural settings.

"are not these heroes entitled to add the beauty of the scene to the beauty of the deed?"

Explanation: The passage questions whether these heroes should not also be credited with the
added beauty of the stunning natural scenes in which their noble deeds occurred. Their actions
and the setting together enhance the overall beauty.

"When the bark of Columbus nears the shore of America; -- before it, the beach lined with
savages, fleeing out of all their huts of cane; the sea behind; and the purple mountains of the
Indian Archipelago around, can we separate the man from the living picture?"

Explanation: When Columbus arrived in America, the scene—native people, the sea, and the
mountains—was so vivid and dramatic that it’s hard to separate his achievements from the
grandeur of the setting. The environment becomes an integral part of the story.

"Does not the New World clothe his form with her palm-groves and savannahs as fit drapery?"

Explanation: The new world’s natural beauty, such as palm trees and open savannahs, seems
to enhance and complement Columbus’s achievements, as if nature itself is dressing his story in
a fitting and majestic way.

"Ever does natural beauty steal in like air, and envelope great actions."

Explanation: Natural beauty often seems to subtly surround and enhance significant actions and
deeds, as if it naturally integrates with and supports these important moments.

In private places, among sordid objects, an act of truth or heroism seems at once to draw
to itself the sky as its temple, the sun as its candle."

● Even in ordinary or unpleasant surroundings, a noble or truthful action can make the
whole world seem like it’s honoring that act. It’s as if the sky becomes a grand temple
and the sun shines like a special light for that moment.

"Nature stretcheth out her arms to embrace man, only let his thoughts be of equal
greatness."

● Nature seems to support and embrace people when their thoughts and actions are noble
and grand.
"Willingly does she follow his steps with the rose and the violet, and bend her lines of
grandeur and grace to the decoration of her darling child."

● Nature seems to decorate and beautify the path of a great person, as if flowers and
beauty naturally appear where they go.

"Only let his thoughts be of equal scope, and the frame will suit the picture."

● If a person’s thoughts are as great as their surroundings, then everything will fit together
perfectly, like a beautiful picture in a perfect frame.

"A virtuous man is in unison with her works, and makes the central figure of the visible
sphere."

● A good and virtuous person is in harmony with nature and seems to be the central, most
important part of the world around them.

"Homer, Pindar, Socrates, Phocion, associate themselves fitly in our memory with the
geography and climate of Greece."

● Great historical figures like Homer and Socrates are deeply connected in our minds with
the landscape and culture of Greece.

"The visible heavens and earth sympathize with Jesus."

● The natural world seems to align with or reflect the life and message of Jesus.

"And in common life, whosoever has seen a person of powerful character and happy
genius, will have remarked how easily he took all things along with him, -- the persons,
the opinions, and the day, and nature became ancillary to a man."

● In everyday life, people with strong character and talent often seem to influence
everything around them. People, opinions, and even the natural world seem to follow
their lead or become part of their presence.

3: intellect:

There is still another aspect under which the beauty of the world may be viewed, namely, as it
becomes an object of the intellect."

There is another way to understand the beauty of the world, which is by looking at it through
intellectual or thoughtful analysis.
"Beside the relation of things to virtue, they have a relation to thought." Besides how things are
connected to moral goodness or virtue, they also relate to our thinking and understanding.

"The intellect searches out the absolute order of things as they stand in the mind of God, and
without the colors of affection." Our intellect tries to understand the perfect order and structure
of things as if they were in a divine or ideal form, without any emotional bias.

"The intellectual and the active powers seem to succeed each other, and the exclusive activity
of the one, generates the exclusive activity of the other." Our thinking (intellectual) and doing
(active) abilities follow one another. When one is focused on, it often leads to focusing on the
other. This line means that thinking (intellectual power) and doing (active power) seem to take
turns. When you focus on thinking deeply, it often leads to taking action later, and when you’re
busy taking action, it eventually leads to more thinking. One activity naturally follows the other.
Imagine you’re working on a project. First, you spend time researching and planning (thinking).
Once you’ve thought through your ideas, you start working on the project (doing). As you work,
you may encounter new questions or problems that require more thinking. This cycle of thinking
and doing continues, with each activity leading to the other.

"There is something unfriendly in each to the other, but they are like the alternate periods of
feeding and working in animals; each prepares and will be followed by the other." Thinking and
doing can sometimes seem to be in conflict,

Intellectual and active powers don't always get along perfectly, but they work together in a cycle,
similar to how animals alternate between eating and working. Just as feeding and working are
different activities that follow each other, intellectual thinking and taking action are different but
connected. One phase helps set up and lead into the next.

"Therefore does beauty, which, in relation to actions, as we have seen, comes unsought, and
comes because it is unsought, remain for the apprehension and pursuit of the intellect;" Beauty,
which appears naturally in our actions without us actively seeking it, is something that the
intellect can then understand and explore.

"and then again, in its turn, of the active power." Once the intellect understands beauty, this
understanding then influences our actions. Beauty often shows up naturally in what we do,
without us trying to create it. After we notice this beauty, our minds can think about and
understand it. Then, this understanding can inspire us to take action and create something new.
Beauty often appears naturally in what we do without us trying to create it. This natural beauty
can then be noticed and understood by our minds, and our intellect can explore it further. The
passage suggests that beauty often appears in our actions without us trying to create it. This
beauty can then be understood and explored by our minds.

Example: Imagine you’re gardening, and without trying, you arrange the flowers in a beautiful
pattern. You might not have planned it, but the beauty naturally emerged. Later, you think about
why it looks so beautiful, analyzing the colors, shapes, and symmetry.
"Nothing divine dies. All good is eternally reproductive."

Anything divine or truly good does not end. Good things continue to create and renew
themselves.

"The beauty of nature reforms itself in the mind, and not for barren contemplation, but for new
creation." The beauty we perceive in nature is reimagined in our minds not just for passive
observation but to inspire and lead to new creative actions. This passage is expressing the idea
that anything truly divine or inherently good is everlasting; it doesn’t fade away but instead
continues to give rise to new and positive things. The beauty we see in nature isn’t just meant to
be passively admired or thought about without purpose. Instead, it inspires us to create
something new and meaningful.

Example: Think about the beauty of a forest. When you walk through it, you’re not just admiring
the trees and the scenery; the experience might inspire you to paint a landscape, write a poem,
or start an environmental project. The beauty of the forest doesn’t just stay in the forest—it
“reforms itself in your mind,” leading to new creative ideas and actions. This process is
continuous, showing that good and beautiful things have a way of renewing themselves and
sparking more goodness and beauty in the world.

In essence, the passage explains that beauty is not only something we experience and
appreciate but also something that can be understood through intellectual thought. Our ability to
think and act are interconnected, and this relationship helps us understand and create new
beauty. Good and divine things are always renewing and reproducing, with nature's beauty
inspiring ongoing creativity in our minds and actions.

Everyone, to some extent, is affected or moved by the beauty of the world around them. Some
people are so moved by this beauty that it brings them joy or pleasure. When someone
appreciates and enjoys beauty, whether in nature, art, or other forms, this appreciation is called
"Taste." It means they have a sense for recognizing and loving beautiful things. Some people
love beauty so much that they’re not satisfied with just admiring it. Instead, they feel a strong
desire to create or express beauty themselves, in new and original ways. When someone takes
their love for beauty and turns it into something new, like a painting, a piece of music, or a
poem, they are creating Art. Art is the process of making new forms of beauty.

Creating art helps us understand the deeper, often mysterious aspects of human life and
existence. A piece of art is like a small, simplified version of the entire world. It captures the
essence or main ideas of what we see around us. Art is a way of expressing or showing nature,
but in a smaller, condensed form. Even though there are countless things in nature and each
one is different, they all share a common quality or essence that can be captured in art.

Nature is full of many forms and shapes that are fundamentally similar, yet each is unique in its
own way. The phrase "Nature is a sea of forms radically alike and even unique" means that in
nature, there are countless forms or shapes that share fundamental similarities, yet each one is
also distinct and unique in its own way.Example: Leaves on a tree: If you look at a tree, you'll
see that all the leaves are generally the same shape and color—they all look like leaves. This is
how they are "radically alike." However, if you examine each leaf closely, you’ll notice that no
two leaves are exactly the same. Each leaf might have a slightly different size, shape, or pattern
of veins. This makes each leaf "unique." Things like a leaf, sunlight, a landscape, or the ocean
all give us a similar feeling or impression when we see them. What these natural things share is
a sense of perfection and balance, which we recognize as beauty. The true measure of beauty
is found in the whole of nature, not just in one thing but in the combination of all things in nature.
The Italians describe beauty as "the many in one," meaning that true beauty is the result of
bringing together many different elements into a unified whole. No single thing is completely
beautiful on its own; it’s beautiful because it is part of a larger, more complete whole. An object
is beautiful only if it hints at or represents the larger beauty of the whole world. Artists—whether
they are poets, painters, sculptors, musicians, or architects—try to capture and focus the beauty
of the entire world into their specific works of art. Each artist creates their work because they are
driven by a deep love of beauty that inspires them to express it in their own way. Art is like
nature being transformed by the human mind and spirit, similar to how an alchemist would
transform materials in their lab. Art is like nature that has been transformed by a human being.
The word "alembic" refers to an old tool used in chemistry to distill and purify substances. So,
this line is saying that just as substances are refined through an alembic, nature is refined and
reimagined through the creativity of a person. Imagine a painter who sees a beautiful mountain.
The painter doesn’t just copy the mountain exactly as it is. Instead, they use their imagination
and skills to paint it in a way that captures the mountain’s essence but also adds their own
personal touch. The result is a painting that’s not just a copy of nature but a unique piece of art
that reflects both nature and the painter’s vision. Through art, nature expresses itself through
the creativity and effort of an artist, who is inspired by the natural beauty around them.

The world, with all its beauty, exists to fulfill our deep need to experience and appreciate beauty.
The desire for beauty is seen as a fundamental purpose or goal in life. It’s something we
naturally seek. There isn’t a specific reason why we desire beauty; it’s just a natural, intrinsic
part of who we are. Beauty, in its deepest and most expansive sense, is a way of understanding
or describing the entire universe. God is seen as the ultimate source of beauty. Truth, goodness,
and beauty are different aspects of the same divine reality. They are all connected and
represent different sides of the same thing.
However, the beauty we see in nature isn’t the highest or final form of beauty. The beauty in
nature is like a messenger that points to a deeper, more lasting beauty that exists within and
beyond the physical world. Beauty in nature, by itself, isn’t the ultimate or most fulfilling good.
It’s important but not the final or complete answer to what we seek. The beauty in nature is just
one part of a larger whole. It’s not the final or highest expression of the purpose of Nature.
There’s something more profound and ultimate that beauty leads us toward.
Appreciating a beautiful garden is a good thing, but that garden is just one small part of the
beauty in the world. The garden might lead you to think about the beauty of life as a whole, or
the interconnectedness of all living things, which are higher expressions of beauty than the
garden alone. The garden is a part of a larger, more complete idea of beauty.
 The sound and fury

Intro
The Sound and the Fury is a modernist novel by William Faulkner published in 1929. The novel
tells the story of the Compson family, a once great, aristocratic Southern family that has begun
to break apart and fall into decline.

The story is set in Faulkner’s fictional town of Jefferson, Mississippi, in the early 20th century. It
is told from the point of view of three of the Compson brothers and one omniscient third-person
narrator.

It's a really important book in American literature and is considered one of the best novels of the
20th century.
The novel is well-known for its disjointed, non-linear narrative structure and
stream-of-consciousness writing style.

Summary
The Sound and the Fury begins with the narration of the mentally ill, Benjamin Compson, who is
one of the four children of an aristocratic southern family. The first section of the book follows
Benjamin on the day of his thirty-third birthday as he goes around the Compson property with a
young black servant called Luster. Benjy has no concept of time, and he lives his memories as
he sees reminders of events around the property. Benjy’s narrative is focused on his sister
Caddy, and it begins with the night of his grandmother’s funeral. Benjy remembers how Caddy
had fallen in a stream and muddied her underpants when all the children had been sent away
from the house since they were far too young to understand their grandmother’s death. Benjy is
mentally stuck at the age of three, but he has a clear idea of how things should be ordered and
he protests any actions against this order with loud crying. He is far closer to his sister Caddy
than any of his other family members, but he becomes obsessed with her smell which to him
seems similar to trees. Benjy tries to ensure thatCaddy has the same smell, but this interferes
with her development as a woman. Benjy is finally disappointed when Caddy loses her virginity
and stops smelling like trees. She gets married later onwards, but Benjy continues to obsess
about her. Benjy is castrated by his father and his brother, Jason when he accidentally attacks
some school girls that are crossing near the family’s estate.

The second narrative section features Quentin Compson as he begins his day on the Harvard
Campus in 1910. Quentin obsesses about time and thinks about the recently concluded
marriage of his sister. Quentin skips his classes and spends the day wandering around the town
as he relives his memories. He has been obsessed with the idea of Southern honor since he
was very young. This belief is tested when he learns of Caddy’s promiscuous sexual character
which results in her being pregnant without marriage. Quentin had suggested suicide upon
learning the secret and had put a knife to Caddy’s throat with the conviction to kill themselves.
He had then thought about taking the blame for Caddy’s pregnancy by claiming to have
committed incest. Quentin had approached his father with that conviction, but his father had
refused to believe him. To Quentin’s surprise, Mr. Compson had been rather unconcerned about
Caddy’s virginity as he had believed it to be a ridiculous concept imposed on women by men.
He had gone further to claim that Quentin was only upset about Caddy’s loss of virginity
because he was a virgin. That hadn’t been the end for Quentin, who had found reasons to
protest Caddy’s marriage to a local wealthy man called Herbert Head. Quentin had wanted
Caddy to run away with him, and he believed they would be able to live off the tuition money.
However, Caddy claimed that she had to marry someone before the pregnancy became evident.
She had insisted that Quentin complete his education since the tuition had been paid by the
sale of Benjy’s favorite pasture in the Compson estate. Quentin spends that day in 1910, two
months after Caddy’s wedding, roaming around the town. He gets into an argument with one of
his classmen who talks about his sexual encounters with women. Quentin kills himself after his
fight with Gerald, and his last recollection is that of his father telling him that he will soon get
over Caddy’s loss of virginity.

The third narrative section follows, Jason Compson, on the Easter weekend in 1928. Jason is in
his thirties by this point and has turned into a hateful and almost evil man. Jason hates his
brother Benjy and wants to send him to the insane asylum. He has hated his sister, Caddy,
since childhood but his hatred for her grew when her marriage with Herbert ended in divorce.
Herbert had divorced Caddy when he had learned about her pregnancy. Their divorce meant
that Jason was denied a bank job that he had been promised when Herbert’s marriage to Caddy
had been fixed. Jason had also hated his brother Quentin, who had committed suicide nearly a
decade ago because Jason had never gotten the opportunity to study like Quentin. He hated his
father, whom he claimed had spent away the family fortune to fulfill his alcoholism. He hates
Miss Quentin, as she reminds him of her sister, and he wants to exercise control over her. Jason
tries to control Quentin, but his mother and Dilsey prevent him from mistreating her. Jason
receives money from his sister for the welfare of her illegitimate daughter, as Mr. Compson had
taken in her daughter after Caddy’s divorce. Jason uses Caddy’s estrangement with her mother
as a means to steal the money that Caddy sends for Quentin’s care. He uses that money to
trade in the cotton market, and support a prostitute in a nearby town. Jason believes that his
sister owes him this money because she cost him the bank job that Herbert had promised him.
Jason sees Quentin roaming the town with a man in a red tie, and decides to catch up to them
but finds himself unable to do so. He is left stranded in a field with a punctured tire, but he is too
embarrassed to admit that he had been chasing after Quentin when he comes back home after
work. He makes snide remarks about her character that set off the 17-year-old girl, and she
threatens to run away. On Sunday morning, Jason wakes to find Quentin missing from her
room, and a broken window in his room. He realizes that Quentin has eloped with all of the
money that he had been saving, and sets out to search for her. He receives no help from the
sheriff who criticizes Jason for the way he runs his household, and he sets out to search for
Quentin on her own. He fails miserably and has to hire help to drive him back to town. He
returns to town to find Benjy panicking during a carriage ride as Luster takes him through a new
route, and Jason can calm him down by returning the carriage to the old route.

The fourth section of the novel picks up on April 8, 1928, two days after Jason’s section and one
day after Benjy’s. The fourth section is narrated in the third-person and focuses primarily on
Dilsey, the Compsons’ black servant. On the morning of April 8, the author-narrator observes
Dilsey performing her chores, as usual, in the Compson house. As she prepares breakfast,
Dilsey talks to Luster, who tells her that someone broke into Jason’s bedroom the night before.
Moments later, it is discovered that Miss Quentin not only broke Jason’s window but entered his
bedroom, found her mother’s money, stole it back, and fled the house. Jason, furious, goes to
chase her but ultimately fails to catch her.

In Jason’s absence, Dilsey, Luster, and Benjy attend Easter service at Dilsey’s church. The
visiting minister preaches about redemption, and Dilsey, thinking of the Compsons and the
events of the morning, begins to cry. She reflects: “I’ve seed de first en de last….I seed de
beginning, en now I sees de endin.” Dilsey’s words foretell the end of the novel: soon after,
Faulkner brings it to an uneventful, inconclusive close.

An appendix to the novel, published in 1946, details the fates of the surviving Compsons.
According to the appendix, Benjy was committed to an asylum in 1933; Jason moved into an
apartment above the supply-store; and Caddy moved to Paris, where she lived at the time of the
German occupation of France (1940–44). Neither Caddy nor her daughter returned to
Yoknapatawpha County.

Characters:
1. Jason Compson III
The head of the Compson family, he is an intellectual whose alcoholism finally kills him. His wife
Caroline is an ineffectual mother, and he does most of the parenting of the children when they
are small. However, he is also not an ideal parent, too interested in intellectual, logical matters.
His view on Caddy's precocious sexuality upsets Quentin, who takes his statements to heart
and kills himself in order to make sure that his pain over Caddy's betrayal never wears away
with time.
2. Caroline Bascomb Compson
A neurotic and hypochondriac, she is unable to mother her children properly or give them any
love, leaving them to mother each other under the guidance of their housekeeper Dilsey. She
sees her son's retardation as a curse on the family and changes his name from Maury (her
brother's name) to Benjamin to try to cleanse herself of this curse. She is passive-aggressive
and manipulative, using guilt to force others to do her bidding. She sees Caddy, Quentin and
Benjamin as having "Compson blood" and Jason as being a "true Bascomb" and loves him
more than the other children.

4. Quentin Compson
the oldest child of Jason and Caroline, he suffers from his mother's coldness and substitutes his
sister's love for his mother's. He has romantic ideals about purity and virginity, repulsed by his
own sexuality. When Caddy becomes promiscuous in her teens it shatters Quentin's world. He
tries to tell his father that he committed incest with Caddy, but his father doesn't believe him.
The family sells his brother Benjamin's pasture in order to send him to Harvard, and after his
freshman year there he kills himself.
5. Candace Compson (Caddy)
the only daughter of Jason and Caroline. She is kind and motherly to Quentin and Benjy and
becomes the center of their worlds. Imperious and enthralling, she was also Faulkner's favorite
character. She becomes pregnant at eighteen and marries Herbert Head, a wealthy banker who
promises Jason a job in his bank. When he discovers that he is not he father of her child, he
divorces her, leaving Jason without a job and her child without a father. She sends the child,
Quentin, home to be raised by her parents, and sends Jason $200 a month to look after her.

6. Jason Compson IV
an isolated and perverse little boy, he grows up to be an antisocial, sadistic, angry man who
resents his sister for depriving him of a job. He views young Quentin as the cause of all his
problems and is excessively cruel to her. He is the only character who is able to stand up to his
mother, because he can be just as manipulative and passive-aggressive as she. He cashes the
checks Caddy sends to him every month and brings home false checks for his mother to burn.

7. Benjamin Compson (Benjy)

the youngest child, he is mentally retarded, unable to speak or take care of himself. He is also
unable to distinguish between past and present, and therefore his section jumps around in time
as he constantly relives his memories. He is attached to Caddy, who acts as his mother, and her
sexuality and marriage shatter his life. He cries whenever anyone upsets the daily routine of his
life. When his mother discovers that he is retarded at age five, she changes his name from
Maury to Benjamin.

8. Quentin Compson II
Caddy's illegitimate daughter, who may or may not be Dalton Ames's child. When Herbert Head
learns that he is not her father, he divorces Caddy. Caddy is forced to leave Quentin with her
parents, and after her father dies, Jason takes over as her primary caregiver. Convinced that
she is "bad," Quentin is rebellious and promiscuous. Jason and Caroline think that she has
inherited all the bad tendencies of the Compson family.

9. Dilsey
the Compson's black housekeeper, she is the only selfless and kind individual in the novel. She
cares for the children as if they are her own and is protective of Benjy and young Quentin. By
the time the novel ends she is very old and arthritic, and seems to think she is about to die. She
will be the only witness to the beginning and the end of the Compson family.

11. Herbert Head

the man Caddy marries. He owns a bank and offers Jason a job there. He makes an honest
attempt at befriending Quentin, but Quentin is so rude to him that the two begin to fight. When
Herbert discovers that he is not the father of Caddy's baby, he divorces her.

(Stream of consciousness in notes)