6. Reactions to Essays

As a whole, I feel these essays are challenging the "normal" way of thinking. They are taking different views on common topics and engaging them in new ways; challenging the status quot with attitude. Its quite interesting to see society norms being challenged at such early times. The first article I read was by Sarah Orne Jewett, written in 1881. Jewett writes about the death of animals in relation to the death of humans in a "chain". "But there is something distressing about being eaten, and having one’s substance minister to a superior existence! It hurts one’s pride." This idea seems to be one of an environmentalist who is a vegetarian in current times. Being a vegetarian and animal lover is almost like a trend in this day-in-age but in the 1880's the life of the meatless hadn't arrived. The second article I read was by John Burroughs, written in 1908. Burroughs writes about how people always want a supernatural occurrence to explain the plain and normal. "You are always nearer the divine and the true sources of your power than you think. The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive." Discoveries in all fields of life have solved our mysteries that have lingered but before in the early 1900's development and discoveries were slow to appear so the "supernatural" could still have been plausible. Burroughs seems to have foresight on all unexplainable events. The third article I read was written by Annie Dillard, written in 1973. Dillard seems to have comical elements in the essay. "In a town where resourcefulness and beating the system are highly prized, these primitive trees can fight city hall and win." The sight of humor doesn't necessarily mean its before its time but it does show that a topic isn't something that has to be taken so seriously. Dillard knows there are matters to be attended too that will need a serious view. All of these are essays are challenging society accepted ideas on nature.