Question

Reread lines 5-15 of "Nature". How is man "always a child" in the woods? Which sentence acts as a central idea and best supports this metaphor? Question 2,TE p.42

Answer 1

Answer:

A man is 'always a child' in the woods as it is only the child spirit within a man that recognizes the beauty of nature as it is.

The central idea presented by Waldo in the essay is that in nature a man tends to meet and find his best self. The sentence that supports this is, "In the woods, we return to reason and faith."

Explanation:

"Nature" is an essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The essay is drawn from the materials Emerson had recorded in sermons, lectures, and journals.

In the essay, Emerson states that a man has to cast off his age (matureness) to comprehend nature as it is, just like a snake casts off his slough.

A man is 'always a child' in the woods as only the spirit child within a man can truly comprehend nature as it is, unlike an adult who manipulates nature.

The central idea that Emerson presents in the essay is that it is in nature a man finds his best self. The sentence that best supports this is, "In the woods, we return to reason and faith."