Annie Dillard Summary

Annie Dillard describes two kinds of seeing literal and figurative seeing. Humans tend to interpret patterns and project meaning onto the natural world causing them to see nature in a figurative way through there own perceptions instead of how nature truly is. One must look at the big picture of the universe. It is important to take everything in, and take advantage of every opportunity. She says, “The universe was not made in jest but in solemn incomprehensible earnest” (274).
Throughout the book Annie Dillard exposes us to nature that in the past we happened to overlook. She showed us that nature is not only has a beautiful side to it but also a horrible one as well. In the book chapter 2 Dillard describes her encounter with a book, Space
. She tells us about when she was young she use to hide pennies for people to find. The book the mountains by Edward Stewart white said that to really see nature you have to “forget the naturally obvious and construct an artificial obvious” this really affected her. It taught her to narrow down what you’re looking for and you would see it. For instance if you are looking for a frog look for patches of green. She mentions that it is hard to see. My eyes account for less than one percent of the weight of my head; I'm bony and dense; I see what I expect. I once spent a full three minutes looking at a bullfrog that was so unexpectedly large I couldn't see it even though a dozen enthusiastic campers were shouting directions. Finally I asked, “What color am I looking for?” and a fellow said, “Green.” When at last I picked out the frog, I saw what painters are up against: the thing wasn't green at all, but the color of wet hickory bark.” (20) Most of the time when seeing is not the same as your personal idea very often it’s not what you expect. Usually it’s not the most obvious of how something will look. In observing as outside of what is obvious, or “the artificial obvious”, one will discover more in front of them, yielding greater rewards, greater enjoyment. Annie Dillard writes about how she believes that experts see those things that others cannot see. She mention about this locals
It has taught her about beauty and sorrow; it has taught her to see. Throughout her journey she sees a lot of horrible things in nature but also she learned to see the beauty in the smallest of things. She sees a maple key what she mistakes for a UFO. She states that for now own she would see maple keys in everything. “When I see a photograph of earth from space, the planet so startlingly painterly and hung, I will think, maple key. When I shake your hand or meet your eyes I will think, two maple keys. If I am a maple key falling, at least I can twirl.”(273) In order to really see the world, she thinks, in order to be a prophet, you have to do what Ezekiel commanded and "go up into the gaps." (274) In other words, look for the truth of the world in the small, unseen