Nature's Role

Think of an experience you had with nature or something you observed in nature. Maybe you were camping, or hiking, or maybe just going for a walk. Did anything surprise you? What role does nature play in our lives? How can nature surprise us? Can you think of how a writer might approach the subject of nature, and how it might be approached stylistically? How could different styles depict nature differently?

In modern times most young people aren't spending as much time in nature (possibly due to the rise of consumer electronics and indoor entertainment systems), and when they do go out they are bored by what they observe. This is most unfortunate, considering the physical and spiritual pleasures that nature can bring. Nature has its surprises; from a tree that is over a millennium old to observing the diversity of animal life and their unique characteristics, nature is widely diverse and extremely intricate.

Nature holds a spiritual role in some people's lives. Some feel that through observing nature, one can find inner peace and balance in life. Others use nature as a means to get closer with God, feel his presence, and observe his creations. Nature also holds a physical role in life. Because of its value and its importance to the Earth, many promote the protection of nature for the enjoyment of future generations. The great diversity and the puzzling mysteries within nature also prompts humans to attempt to study and understand such aspects of nature. All of the physical and natural sciences are based on the idea of understanding the natural world around us.

Authors can approach the topic of nature with different styles. For instance, a religious or more spiritual writer will want to embody powerful and emotional words and descriptions that describes his view of nature. A more emotional writer can describe how nature possesses deep metaphors and symbols and wondrous life processes that deserve contemplation and a great deal of admiration. A more down-to-earth writer can write about nature by simply describing the physical observations. This point of view would not deliver the more emotional and "deep" style of the previous author.