npward

[npward]

ENG 201 Writing free write #1

What are the differences between Abbey's piece (The Great American Desert) and Emerson's? Between them and Silent Spring? What are the similarities?

In Abbey's piece I feel as though he was being quite pessimistic about the desert even though he did appreciate it. Abbey was somewhat mystified by the desert and how threatening it was. He could not help but enjoy how the desert was untouched by man because of the harsh environment and threatening features of the animals, flora, and landscapes. Abbey, I feel, was trying to keep people from moving in on some of the only few places of true nature left in the world. Emerson on the other hand was very light and flowery in the way he expressed his appreciation of the wilderness. Emerson was focused on the bigger picture of the wilderness. He states that a number of farmers own parts of the fields but none of them own the beautiful view. this is very contrasting to Abbey in the fact that Abbey was very particular about the dangers of the desert. Abbey went into detail describing how the animals and flora in the desert can cause injury and death to people. Both of these authors do show their own appreciation of nature in their own way. Whether it is amazement in the danger of the area or amazement in the stunning view they both do very much care for nature. I think Abbey's work more closely resembles Silent Spring because both are a warning about nature. Both authors want to preserve nature and keep it out of the hands of selfish, narcissistic people who will only exploit the regions natural resources and leave the rest to rot without care. Emerson did too love and want to preserve nature but his approach to appealing to the populous was in a different fashion. He wanted to appeal to people through pure appreciation and enjoyment of nature. In this way people would learn to not destroy nature out of respect rather than fear.