In their annotations, many of our peers pointed out similar key points and themes. The first common theme we found came in the first few paragraphs. In those introductory paragraphs, Emerson begins with a description of this world and its nature which possesses a certain beauty, he then goes on to talk about laws that are revealed when the mind is opened. Our peers made comments analyzing the author’s words and many said that he saying that life is beautiful and that is something that cannot be taken away from it, that every man and creature receives an equal part of nature, yet we do not appreciate it. Arthur Flores wrote, “Emerson is using great detail to describe the joy and beauty of life. He describes the sun shining as fire which really helps the reader visualize the color. He also notes that nighttime does not take away this beauty in any way, rather it may help it,” (arthurflores).
Another common theme arises in paragraph five of Emerson’s essay. Many students commented saying that Emerson was emphasizing the idea of being good and that he also talked about God’s guidance over humans and correcting their mistakes. Wnieto wrote, “I believe in these sentences Emerson is pointing out the fact that even though there is this ‘energy’ (God) helping guides us in the right direction. Ultimately it is up to the individual’s free will in choosing which of their actions are right or wrong,” (wnieto).
Emerson tries to portray that being good is being filled with good morals and make ones choices from that good moral compass. On the other hand evil will leave you feeling empty inside, and at the end of paragraph seven Aaron Simmons wrote, “He is saying that the more bad you do the more you ignore and don’t follow virtuous laws you become less of a person” (aaronsimmons). Something else that continues to pop up is how religion helps guide our moral compasses by making better decisions that will lead to us naturally becoming a better person. Later in the essay, around paragraph ten, Emerson starts to go off on how religion shouldn’t be forced upon someone just because it is an institution. As Jeremy Lohr wrote in one of his annotations, “After he has just ranted about man separating himself from religion and the Supreme Spirit, Emerson is trying to say that man’s life can only become something pathetic. As soon as man puts away the sentiment he becomes ‘near sighted’ and because he ‘can only attend to what addresses the senses; the man loses that sense of mystery and beauty” (jeremylohr).