It has been said that a child always follows in the footsteps of his or her father. We can say the same about the relationship of a teacher and student. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a teacher of Henry David Thoreau, inspired his pupil with his way of thinking, and therefore their writing is similar in many ways. The writing of Emerson and Thoreau is both different and similar because they both are transcendentalists and they both talk about and usually base their stories on nature; although, Thoreau takes Emerson's ideas and applies them to his life.
Emerson is a transcendentalist and in all of his stories, he talks about how amazing nature is and that we need it in our lives: "In the wilderness, I find something more dear and connate than in streets or villages. In the tranquil landscape, and especially in the distant line of the horizon, man beholds somewhat as beautiful as his own nature."
English: Portrait by Benjamin D. Maxham (daguerreo...
English: Signature of author Henry David Thoreau
English: crayon portrait of Henry David Thoreau as...(Pg. 221). Emerson tells the reader that he finds the wilderness and forest very soothing and relaxing. He enjoys it more than the busy streets with so many people. He feels that man can be himself in the presence of nature. Emerson shows us that nature is essential in everyone's life in order to separate him or her from his or her hectic everyday life. "But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds, will separate between him and vulgar things." (Pg. 219). Emerson, a transcendentalist, has all of his stories written about the purity and greatness of nature and being one with nature. Here, he tells us that if a person is ever given some time alone, away from the hectic day, that person would enjoy...