Man vs Nature Essay

Topics: The Lorax, Dr. Seuss, Bob Holt Pages: 3 (850 words) Published: October 16, 2012
The relationship between man and nature is constantly evolving as man and nature can coexist in a harmonious relationship or a destructive one with a power struggle. The poem ‘Lines Written In Early Spring’ by William Wordsworth, and one newspaper article “Into those arms no more” by Charles Purcell gives representation to the different views that man can have towards nature. ‘The Surfer’ by Judith Wright is a poem that explores the joy and fear that nature can provide man and ‘The Lorax’ by Dr Seuss is a children’s book that conveys man’s ignorance towards all the benefits that nature can provide man in a harmonious relationship. These texts explore the evolving relationship between man and nature.

William Wordsworth’s poem ‘Lines Written In Early Spring’ gives representation to the evolving relationship of man and nature as a dichotomy between harmonious and destructive. A technique used to convey this is the biblical discourse throughout the poem, “If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature’s holy plan”. This conveys that nature is a manifestation of g-d which corresponds with Wordsworth’s pantheist values and spiritual connection. This shows that Man has a harmonious relationship with natures as he accepts nature’s plans. In stanza two and four this line, “What man has made of man”, is repeated to emphasize man’s desecration of nature. In both instances, the persona expresses a sorrowful tone, which elucidates the destructive aspect of man and nature’s relationship. As shown Wordsworth’s poem conveys the dichotomous relationship between man and nature.

Charles Purcell’s article ‘Into those arms no more’ also shows that man’s relationship with nature can be harmonious and destructive. Like Wordsworth’s poem above, Purcell laments for the destruction of nature due to man’s interference. Purcell uses repetition of the word “destroy” to emphasize the harm that man is capable of imposing on nature, “They weren’t only destroying a tree, they were...
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