Analysis Of The Essay 'Sustainability' By Christian Weisser

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Where We Live and What We Should Live For:
A Sustainability Essay Analysis

As the state of the Earth declines, there have been various debates overtime in improving and maintaining the progress made on Earth; while there are differing solutions, one topic is focused on the most, sustainability. In “Sustainability” by Christian Weisser, various writers bring in the power of persuasion and imagery to demonstrate the significance of our surroundings. Author, Henry David Thoreau, as he writes with such lengthy, thick detail illustrates the serenity and beauty the Earth has, and the importance of the human population living with the essentials to conserve the resources and heaven-like appearance for future generations.

In his essay, Henry David Thoreau provides, what could sometimes be described as, long-winded detail of the …show more content…

A lake like this is never smoother than at such a time; and the clear portion of the air above it being, shallow and darkened by clouds, the water, full of light and reflections, becomes a lower heaven itself so much the more important.” (Thoreau 27)

Though this passage is like various descriptions throughout the essay, the serene image he places before his readers further emphasizes the importance humanity’s view on the Earth. What is also important to note in the passage is the personification given to the lake, as Thoreau refers to the body of water as a neighbor of great importance. His attention to describing his neighbor is reminiscent of Gothic literature when a male perspective gives detail of a beautiful woman; the thick descriptions are appreciative of what is before him while reinforcing the superiority such beauty has over

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