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Motif
Explanation and Analysis—Time vs. Timelessness:
In a motif, Emerson contrasts the essential, timeless truths of nature with the societal conception of linear time:
These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones [...] There is no time to them. There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence.
Through this motif, he argues that the timelessness of nature allows for a greater sense of contentment. The roses, because they exist outside of human ideas of time, can simply be exactly what they are. This makes them a perfect embodiment of transcendentalist ideals. Because they can’t compare themselves to former or better roses, the roses are entirely self-reliant. This timelessness allows nature to be in the exact moment it’s in—not living in the past or worrying about the future.
Similarly, Emerson uses this motif to argue against the idea that the past should provide models for the future:
Is the acorn better than the oak which is its fullness and completion? Is the parent better than the child into whom he has cast his ripened being?
An oak tree is generally considered to be more evolved and beautiful than an acorn, even though the acorn came before the oak tree. In the same way, each generation can be seen as even more evolved than the last, even though they came later. Emerson doesn’t think that society should valorize the past. But he doesn’t think the future is always better than the past, either. In fact, he argues against the idea that society always progresses as it develops:
The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet. He is supported on crutches, but lacks so much support of muscle.
The development of a coach or of crutches can be seen as a sign of progress. But Emerson argues that these kinds of progress cause losses, too—new technology can make people lose old ways of doing things. Without walking, we use our feet less. While using crutches, muscles weaken. Emerson is arguing against the notion that the most advanced or recent version of something is inherently the best.
Instead of looking to the past or focusing on progress, then, Emerson believes that fulfillment comes from connection with essential truths that exist outside of a particular time.
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