Spirituality in John Greenleaf Whittiers The Worship of Nature :: Whittier Worship of Nature Essays

Spirituality in John Greenleaf Whittiers The hero- fear of Nature If firearm ever said that he could not experience God outside of the w totallys of a church, it is evident that he never read John Greenleaf Whittier. John Greenleaf Whittier was a Quaker who, like all Quakers, placed an emphasis on a simple life. Quakers rely in leading a life without artificial things. Because of his Quaker beliefs, he had a deep understanding of the spirituality of the natural world. In his metrical composition, The Worship of Nature Whittier takes his refs on a spiritual journey through a world untouched by man. The title of the poem is an indication that the reader should prep are himself or herself for some sort of spiritual experience. Whittier uses the word worship to title his poem because by the end of the poem the reader depart learn that there is much more to the natural world than water, land, and sky. The poem starts with the birth or creation of nature. Whittier explains to his re aders that the natural world has existed since God created it. He compares the creation of nature to music. This stanza is very appealing to the senses because nature is musical. The insects, winds, and birds are all a part of this song that has never died away. The poet reminds readers of this very authoritative idea because we as humans have a tendency to block the value and importance of nature. The second stanza takes readers beyond the initial creation and introduces readers to the umpteen purposes that nature serves. Whittier explains that prayer is made and praise is repayn. Personification is an important scratch used in this poem. Obviously nature cannot really pray or give praise, but the various functions of nature in this world give the illusion that it does pay homage to a higher being. For instance the lines in the second stanza, The naval looketh up to heaven, /And mirrors every star says that the ocean is a mirror for heaven. If we look into the deep sea, we are in essence aspect into a reflected image of heaven. Other instances when Whittier uses personification in this way are the first and second lines in the third stanza, Its waves are kneeling on the strand/As kneels the human knee. Whittier tells his readers that just as man bends his knee to show respect to God so the ocean waves bend when they reach the shore as a sign of respect.