Question

In “Save the Redwoods,” what case does Muir make to save the redwoods? In your own words, describe how he develops the idea that redwoods are in danger and provides reasons why people should make the effort to preserve these trees in their environment. Use evidence from the text to support your response.

Answer 1

Naturalist and Environmentalist, John Muir had a very romantic almost religious view of the nature. To Muir, the trees were divine and Americans had a moral and ethical duty to save them. He defined the redwoods as Christ-figures being crucified by men: "Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot defend themselves or run away. And few destroyers of trees ever plant any; nor can planting avail much toward restoring our grand aboriginal giants. It took more than three thousand years to make some of the oldest of the Sequoias, trees that are still standing in perfect strength and beauty, waving and singing in the mighty forests of the Sierra. Through all the eventful centuries since Christ's time, and long before that, God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand storms; but he cannot save them from sawmills and fools; this is left to the American people." He makes a connection between the reader and trees by personifying the trees and making them able to feel both joy and pain,"Waving its branches for joy". He also argues: “Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot run away; and if they could, they would still be destroyed.”