man and nature essay

The Beauty About The Nature

To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society. I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me. 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 what he touches. One might think the atmosphere was made transparent with this design, to give man, in the heavenly bodies, the perpetual presence of the sublime. Seen in the streets of cities, how great they are! If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty and light the universe with their admonishing smile.

The Stars Awaken a Certain Reverence, Because Though Always Present, They Are Inaccessible;

but all natural objects make a kindred impression when the mind is open to their influence. Nature never wears a mean appearance. Neither does the wisest man extort her secret, and lose his curiosity by finding out all her perfection. Nature never became a toy to a wise spirit. The flowers, the animals, the mountains, reflected the wisdom of his best hour, as much as they had delighted the simplicity of his childhood. When we speak of nature in this manner, we have a distinct but most poetical sense in the mind. We mean the integrity of impression made by manifold natural objects. It is this which distinguishes the stick of timber of the wood-cutter, from the tree of the poet . The charming landscape which I saw this morning, is indubitably made up of some twenty or thirty farms. Miller owns this field, Locke that, and Manning the woodland beyond. But none of them owns the landscape. There is a property in the horizon which no man has but he whose eye can integrate all the parts, that is, the poet . This is the best part of these men's farms, yet to this, their warranty deeds give no title. To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a very superficial seeing. The sun illuminates only the eye of the man but shines into the eye and the heart of the child.

The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other;

who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood. His intercourse with heaven and earth becomes part of his daily food. In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows. Nature says, — he is my creature, and maugre all his impertinent griefs, he shall be glad with me. Not the sun or the summer alone, but every hour and season yields its tribute of delight; for every hour and change corresponds to and authorizes a different state of the mind, from breathless noon to grimmest midnight.

Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece. In good health, the air is a cordial of incredible virtue. Crossing a bare common, in snow puddles, at twilight, under a clouded sky, without having in my thoughts any occurrence of special good fortune, I have enjoyed a perfect exhilaration. I am glad to the brink of fear. In the woods too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough, and at what period soever of life, is always a child. In the woods, is perpetual youth. Within these plantations of God, a decorum and sanctity reign, a perennial festival is dressed, and the guest sees not how he should tire of them in a thousand years. In the woods, we return to reason and faith.

There I feel that nothing can befall me in life,

— no disgrace, no calamity, (leaving me my eyes,) which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground, — my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space, — all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle of God. The name of the nearest friend sounds then foreign and accidental: to be brothers, to be acquaintances, — master or servant, is then a trifle and a disturbance. I am the lover of uncontained and immortal beauty. 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.

The greatest delight which the fields and woods minister, is the suggestion of an occult relation between man and the vegetable.

I am not alone and unacknowledged. They nod to me, and I to them. The waving of the boughs in the storm is new to me and old. It takes me by surprise, and yet is not unknown. Its effect is like that of a higher thought or a better emotion coming over me, when I deemed I was thinking justly or doing right.

Yet it is certain that the power to produce this delight, does not reside in nature, but in man, or in a harmony of both. It is necessary to use these pleasures with great temperance. For, nature is not always tricked in holiday attire, but the same scene which yesterday breathed perfume and glittered as for the frolic of the nymphs, is overspread with melancholy today. Nature always wears the colors of the spirit. To a man laboring under calamity, the heat of his own fire hath sadness in it. Then, there is a kind of contempt of the landscape felt by him who has just lost by death a dear friend. The sky is less grand as it shuts down over less worth in the population.

Chapter I from Nature , published as part of Nature; Addresses and Lectures

What Is The Meaning Behind Nature, The Poem?

Emerson often referred to nature as the "Universal Being" in his many lectures. It was Emerson who deeply believed there was a spiritual sense of the natural world which felt was all around him.

Going deeper still in this discussion of the "Universal Being", Emerson writes, "The aspect of nature is devout. Like the figure of Jesus, she stands with bended head, and hands folded upon the breast. The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship."

It's common sense that "nature" is everything you see that is NOT man-made, or changed by man (trees, foliage, mountains, etc.), but Emerson reminds us that nature was set forth to serve man. This is the essence of human will, for man to harness nature. Every object in nature has its own beauty. Therefore, Emerson advocates to view nature as a reality by building your own world and surrounding yourself with natural beauty.

• The purpose of science is to find the theory of nature.
• Nature wears the colors of the Spirit.
• A man is fed, not to fill his belly, but so he may work.
• Each natural action is graceful.

"Material objects are necessarily kinds of scoriae of the substantial thoughts of the Creator, which must always preserve an exact relation to their first origin; in other words, visible nature must have a spiritual and moral side."

This quote is cited in numerous works and it is attributed to a "French philosopher." However, no name can be found in association with this quote.

What is the main point of Nature, by Emerson?

The central theme of Emerson's famous essay "Nature" is the harmony that exists between the natural world and human beings. In "Nature," Ralph Waldo Emerson contends that man should rid himself of material cares and instead of being burdened by unneeded stress, he can enjoy an original relation with the universe and experience what Emerson calls "the sublime."

What is the central idea of the essay Nature, by Emerson?

For Emerson, nature is not literally God but the body of God’s soul. ”Nature,” he writes, is “mind precipitated.” Emerson feels that to realize one’s role in this respect fully is to be in paradise (similar to heaven itself).

What is Emerson's view of the Nature of humans?

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Ralph Waldo Emerson left the ministry to pursue a career in writing and public speaking. Emerson became one of America's best known and best-loved 19th-century figures. More About Emerson

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An Essay on Man and Nature Connection

• Post author: Davidokul
• Post published: May 20, 2020
• Post category: Essay / Natural Resources management

Over the previous decades, research has been focused on understanding the relationship between man and nature. While pundits may argue about this relationship, there is substantive evidence demonstrating an intricate relationship between humans and nature. We depend on nature for basic needs, economic growth, and health. 

Man lives in the sphere of nature. 

As humans, nature always surrounds us.  We interact with it now and then. The biosphere is the most crucial part of nature regarding the man-nature relationship. It includes the thin layer surrounding the earth, the soil cover, and any living creature.  Without nature, human beings can’t live normal lives. In other words, man needs nature more than nature needs him. Nature can exist without man, but humans can’t exist without nature.

Man has a massive influence on nature

Humans aren’t just mere dwellers in the sphere of nature. They also transform nature.  Since man’s existence, he has adapted nature and further made all sorts of incursions into nature. Man has spent enormous energy and time changing nature.  The observation explains that man has consistently transformed nature’s wealth into the present-day means of the historical and cultural life of modern society.  For instance, man has exploited nature to generate electricity and then utilizes the electrical power to serve his interest and his community.  Man hasn’t just transferred a variety of animal and plant species to various climatic conditions, but he has further altered the climate of his habitat.

Man and nature connection is strong.

While man’s connection to nature has been severely weakened by man’s dependence on nature for domestic and industrial resources over the years, man still has a strong connection to nature.  After all, man’s psychological and physical need for nature remains intact. As far as nature will continue being man’s source of physical and psychological well-being, humans will remain deeply connected to nature. That explains the deep and strong relationship between nature and man.

Nature and man interact dialectically.

The interaction between nature and man is such that, the more the society progresses, the more man relies less on nature. Think about it; we rely on natural resources for the sustenance of cities and the development of technologies. The components of your phone are mainly derived from the minerals-a natural resource! Again, as man continues to discover more about nature, the more he strives to transform it. Man’s influence on nature increases progressively. Nevertheless, man continues to come into more contact with nature as time progresses.

There are specific stages of man-nature relationship.

The relationship between nature and man has various stages. The first stage is whereby man depends entirely on nature.  Since time immemorial, man has thrived regardless of the enormity of natural formations. He has always been awake to nature’s destructive and menacing forces. The second stage of the man-nature relationship is whereby nature changes its face in the course of its interaction with man. The third stage is whereby man is concerned with preserving nature for the sake of his needs.

The man-nature connection has led to unforeseen paradoxes

One of the unforeseen paradoxes that have been brought about by the man-nature relationship is the infamous paradox of saturation. Since the existence of man on the planet millions of years ago, the effects of humans’ power over nature were insignificant.  With time, man’s over-exploitation led to the destruction of nearly all aspects of nature. A key example of the prolonged over-exploitation of nature by humans is pollution.  Over the years, pollution has led to the destruction of key aspects of nature such as water and the atmosphere. Currently , plastic pollution is an environmental menace that is challenging for our generation. 

The man-nature relationship has been characterized by overuse and imbalance.

Almost every part of man’s history has been marked with nature exploitation, specifically environmental degradation.  Initially, humans were incredibly in-tune with their surroundings. The ancient people had an insignificant effect on nature, due to their meager population size. But as the human population continued to soar, coupled with technological advancements, man started using more efficient methods of sustaining himself. As populations grew, and societies evolved, the demand for resources shot drastically. This trend led to man distancing himself from nature. He was no longer in-tune with nature. This led to an imbalance and over-use of nature.

The industrialization has alienated man from nature

Whereas no one would deny that man has depended entirely on nature for virtually all his needs, industrialization has taken a toll on nature.  With the rise of industrialization, man is gradually being alienated from nature.  But due to man’s understanding that he is completely dependent on nature, there have been concerted attempts in the world over to redeem man’s connection to nature. It is no wonder that concepts such as Environmental Impact Assessments are becoming more relevant.

Nature always fights back, and wins

Generally, humans have an insatiable appetite for exploiting nature. We tend to overuse the natural resources by our excessive consumption. There are many ways in which nature has fought. Two of the ways are highlighted below:

• Climate change: Our overuse of fossil fuels is leading to climate change that is having devastating impacts on our lives. The effects of climate change range from sea level rise to adverse weather conditions
• Disease outbreaks: As humans destroy and come in close contact with natural habitats, we are further exposed to the numerous pathogens. It is suspected that the corona virus is a zoonotic disease . The more we encroach into natural habitats, the more we will expose ourselves to diseases

Man is a vital part of nature

Man defines nature as much as he is fully dependent on it. Historically, man has a considerable influence on nature. Through his actions, whether unconscious or conscious, man determines which course nature will take.  In other words, man determines the pace that nature will take to evolve. As such, nature and man are inseparable. Man depends on nature for all resources he requires in life. He, therefore, should remain in-tune with nature since he is an integral part of it.

The man-nature connection is sometimes ‘unclear’

The connection between man and nature is, at times, ambiguous, as much as it is intricate. For instance, nature can be an enemy to man as much as it remains a provider. Think about environmental disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and floods. On the other hand, man is the main beneficiary as far as the relationship is concerned. Since time immemorial, man has always strived to dominate nature. Nevertheless, this domination is currently being revised by societies in the world over. For instance, we are learning that dominating nature is difficult, as exemplified by the complexities of climate change.

The man-nature relationship has had its ups and downs since time immemorial. Although the connection is intricate, multiple instances prove that the present-day man isn’t in-tune with nature. As such, humans must consider their relationship with nature, considering that they need nature more than nature needs them. There should be a universal awareness of how humans can best use nature without exploiting it so that the man-nature connection can continue to thrive.

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FacebookTweetLinkedIn By David OkulApril 29, 2020 The COVID 19 global pandemic has affected all aspects of human life.  The virus has claimed hundreds of thousands

David Okul is an environmental management professional with over 10 years experience on donor projects, conservation, forestry, ecotourism, and community-based natural resources management. When not working on  active environmental management projects, I spend my time writing for Silvica on a variety of topics.  

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Photo Essay: The Uneasy Relationship Between Humans and Nature

There’s no place on earth untouched by human activity: This was clear as Lucas Foglia whizzed across the vast, white expanse of Alaska's Juneau Ice Field last summer. He was riding an old pair of skis towed by scientist Uwe Hofmann, who periodically stopped his snowmobile to measure the rapidly melting glacier.

“It was an unforgettable experience,” says Foglia , a photographer featured in WIRED’s December issue . "Being in a place that big and wild made me feel small in a way I had never felt before, yet I knew that humans as a whole were changing that landscape.”

Foglia explores this tension in his stunning new book Human Nature . It features nearly 60 photographs that illustrate the varying ways nature impacts humans and humans impact nature—for better or worse. "It focuses on our relationship with nature, how we need wild places even if they have been shaped by us," Foglia says. "I think of each photo in the book as the tip of the iceberg that hopefully points viewers to the larger story underneath the surface of the image."

Foglia grew up on a farm in rural Long Island. Watching the surrounding fields slowly being swallowed up by housing tracts inspired his work documenting the natural environment—a focus that grew in intensity after Hurricane Sandy slammed into the eastern seaboard in 2012. “Climate change is on the news every day these days, but I realized I didn’t know what the science looked like.” he says. “I felt like photography could clearly describe the process of the science.”

Over the next five years, Foglia trailed scientists in five countries with his medium format digital camera as they took samples of air pollution, studied geysers, and launched ozone balloons into the atmosphere. He also examined governmental efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. The Singapore Green Plan, for instance, requires developers to include green spaces in new buildings, while the Agricultural Experiment Station in New York helps farmers develop crops that can withstand changing weather patterns (more on that here ).

These programs matter not only because people need nature to survive. They also matter because people need nature to thrive. Foglia learned this while documenting the research of David Strayer, a University of Utah neuroscientist who hooks participants up to EEG caps and facial electrodes as they spend time in rugged landscapes. His research shows that unplugging in nature actually increases cognitive function, helping people better solve creative problems. "He said that, in his opinion, time in wild places is part of human nature," Foglia says.

Strayer's idea reverberates throughout Human Nature . It explains the feeling of wonder and freedom Foglia felt while gliding across a remote Alaskan ice field—and further underscores the need to preserve places like it.

Human Nature is out this month from Nazraeli Press .

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“To Build a Fire” by Jack London: Man and Nature Essay

A relationship between humans and the forces of nature is often the central theme of many literary works. The short story “To Build a Fire” by Jack London is another example of how this conflict is depicted through the description of a man’s struggles at the mercy of nature. In this story, the protagonist travels in extremely cold weather despite warnings and tries to build a fire to survive (London 462-478). London’s message is clear: nature always wins, and disrespecting its rules may lead to fatal consequences.

By describing the protagonist’s challenges and his death at the end of the story, the writer emphasizes the power of nature and its indifference towards an individual’s life. According to Liu, London’s stories prove the dependence of humans on nature and that their ignorant intrusion into it can be punished (17). It is possible to see how frightened and desperate the protagonist becomes when he understands his helplessness (London 475). In this story, nature can be seen as a dangerous and intimidating power having control over people.

Besides the forces of nature, the protagonist of the story is opposed to the fauna, reflected through the dog following him on his way. Liu emphasizes that the mistreatment of animals and its consequences are an important motive of London’s works (17). Indeed, the protagonist treats the dog as his slave and is ready to sacrifice its life to survive, which symbolizes the arrogance of humans towards living things (London 474). On the contrary, the dog is depicted as a clever animal, which follows its instincts to survive. Therefore, through the struggles of the protagonist, London conveys an idea about the vulnerability of humans before nature, which demands respect and cautiousness.

Works Cited

Liu, Yifeng. “Jack London’s Writing Motivation for The Call of the Wild.” Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research , vol. 196, 2018, pp. 17-19.

London, Jack. “To Build a Fire.” Jack London: Novels and Stories , edited by Donald Pizer, The Library of America, 1982, pp. 462-478.

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IvyPanda. (2022, September 5). “To Build a Fire” by Jack London: Man and Nature. https://ivypanda.com/essays/to-build-a-fire-by-jack-london-man-and-nature/

"“To Build a Fire” by Jack London: Man and Nature." IvyPanda , 5 Sept. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/to-build-a-fire-by-jack-london-man-and-nature/.

IvyPanda . (2022) '“To Build a Fire” by Jack London: Man and Nature'. 5 September.

IvyPanda . 2022. "“To Build a Fire” by Jack London: Man and Nature." September 5, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/to-build-a-fire-by-jack-london-man-and-nature/.

1. IvyPanda . "“To Build a Fire” by Jack London: Man and Nature." September 5, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/to-build-a-fire-by-jack-london-man-and-nature/.

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IvyPanda . "“To Build a Fire” by Jack London: Man and Nature." September 5, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/to-build-a-fire-by-jack-london-man-and-nature/.

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Man vs. Nature: Handling Conflict in Writing with Examples

Krystal N. Craiker

A story without conflict isn’t much of a story at all. There are seven main types of conflict in fiction , and most stories can fall into one or more of these categories.

One of these conflicts is known as man vs. nature.

Man vs. nature is a story that writers come back to over and over.

Humans have been in conflict with nature since the dawn of humankind. Sometimes nature wins, and sometimes humans do.

Because it’s grounded in a reality we all know, man vs. nature can provide endless possibilities for fictional story ideas.

In fact, some of your favorite books and movies might feature this conflict!

What Is Man vs. Nature?

What are some examples of man vs. nature, what are some good man vs. nature books, what are the best man vs. nature movies.

The man vs. nature conflict is when the protagonist, either alone or together with the other characters, is in direct opposition to the forces of nature.

There is some event or situation in the natural world that is causing a problem. If more than one character is affected, your characters must work together to overcome the problem.

While the story will still have antagonists , the major conflict is with nature itself. This might occur in the form of a natural disaster like a tornado or blizzard. Drought and famine are common in literature.

There could be a supernatural force behind the nature conflict, although the supernatural element is not the main player in the conflict. The man vs. nature conflict can also be about when a character faces resistance from a specific element of nature in achieving their goals.

Sometimes, you might see the natural world as the “good guy” in these stories, while other times you might root for the characters.

It’s important to note that man vs. nature does not refer to only male characters. In this sense, “man” refers to humankind.

Modern scholars and writers often refer to the conflict as person vs. nature or character vs. nature. We’ll be using these interchangeably in this article.

Is Man vs. Nature a Theme?

You might hear people refer to the theme of man vs. nature. However, it’s less a theme and more a conflict.

A good story has several major components: a theme, a message or moral, a conflict, character goals and motivations, and a plot structure.

The conflict drives the overall story and pushes the characters into action. Theme, on the other hand, is the overall meaning of a story. The theme is conveyed through different elements like characters, setting, and conflict.

In person vs. nature conflicts, there are many themes that might appear. Here are some common themes that fit well with person vs. nature stories:

• Perseverance/the indomitable human spirit
• Change vs. tradition
• Pride as a downfall
• Greed as a downfall
• Chaos vs. order
• Dangers of materialism, capitalism, or technology
• Inevitability of death and/or destruction
• The power of nature

This is by no means an exhaustive list of themes that might feature in a character vs. nature conflict.

The theme works with the conflict, and the man vs. nature conflict highlights the theme. Together, these provide a message to the reader.

What Are the Major Types of Conflict in Literature?

Man vs. nature is just one type of conflict. There are seven major types recognized by most writers and scholars. They are:

• Person vs. person
• Person vs. society
• Person vs. nature
• Person vs. supernatural
• Person vs. technology
• Person vs. self
• Person vs. destiny

Each of these can be the underlying conflict in a great story, no matter the medium or genre.

Why Is Man vs. Nature a Great External Conflict?

Conflicts in a story can be internal or external. The character vs. nature conflict is an example of external conflict. It’s a conflict that writers come back to time and time again. Why?

Man vs. nature is an excellent external conflict for a story for many reasons. First of all, there are endless ways that nature can provide a problem for your characters.

If your characters are facing natural disasters, there are plenty to choose from.

Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, blizzards, avalanches, volcanic eruptions, dust storms, and wildfires can be excellent catalysts for your characters to do something.

Droughts and famines, whether as natural disasters or effects of a natural or man-made disaster, are also great story fodder.

The effects of mankind trying to control nature is another conflict that comes up in real life and in stories—overfarming, deforestation, draining of resources, and pollution can provide ample story ideas.

When a character faces resistance or struggles in parts of nature, like surviving in new or hostile environments, the story can be a great way to explore other conflicts and themes that are more internal.

The natural force becomes a metaphor for inner conflict.

While some fantasy stories may use a supernatural force as the catalyst for the conflict, the overall conflict should lie in a natural force.

Otherwise, the main conflict of the story would be person vs. supernatural.

Why are there so many types of conflict in nature? Because humans are inextricably linked to nature.

We all deal with the effects of natural forces, whether it’s climate change, the weather, disasters, or just our environment. It’s something familiar that has been part of our entire history.

We can apply that same familiarity to any story involving nature. The characters don’t have to be human, and the world doesn’t have to be planet Earth.

I’ve never been trapped in a desert on an alien planet, but I’ve felt extreme heat sickness. I’ve never crossed a frozen tundra, but I have lost heat during an ice storm in a place that is woefully underprepared for freezing weather.

Man vs. nature needs strong sensory details to pull readers in. ProWritingAid’s Sensory Report can help you hit all the senses to make your nature conflict engaging and real.

You'll see how many of each type of sense word you've used so you can create a balanced, rounded description. Try it for free .

Because of that familiar sense of being in conflict with our environment, we can invest ourselves emotionally into conflicts involving the natural world.

This is what keeps writers writing man vs. nature conflicts and what keeps readers reading them.

There are myriad examples of the man vs. nature conflict, from classic literature to obscure indie films. We’ve divided the following well-known examples into books and movies.

It’s hard to pick just a few examples of great person vs. nature books, but here are some great ones.

Dune by Frank Hebert is one of the bestselling science fiction novels of all time.

Though the story is filled with political intrigue and social commentary, the core of the conflict is environmental.

The environment of each planet shapes the features of its civilization, and the scarcity of water is a major plot point. The overall message is that man and nature will always be at odds.

One will always destroy the other.

Margaret Atwood’s dystopian trilogy ( Oryx and Crake , The Year of the Flood , MaddAddam ) explores the conflict between humans and nature, specifically when humans try to master nature.

The series takes place in a society where corporate greed and scientific technology tried to master nature, resulting in a biological catastrophe.

Throughout the series, Atwood explores the importance of humans reconnecting with nature and accepting that they are a part of the natural world, not the masters of it.

Award-winning children’s book Julie of the Wolves , written by Jean Craighead George, explores the character vs. nature conflict through an Inuit girl on the Arctic tundra.

Through a series of tragic events, Julie finds herself living with a pack of wolves to survive the harsh environment.

The story explores the theme of modernity vs. tradition and cultural evolution. Though written for children, this book is a poignant read for all ages.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is a quintessential man vs. nature story.

Santiago, the protagonist, has a respect for nature. It has provided him with his livelihood, and he personifies different elements of the natural world.

But the man vs. nature conflict occurs when he must fight the sea and a giant fish to regain his lost status in society.

The theme that this conflict illustrates is struggle and perseverance.

Those are just a few examples of person vs. nature in literature. Can you think of any more?

Movies are stories, too, and person vs. nature conflicts are always popular in Hollywood. Here are a few excellent examples.

The 1996 film Twister is a fun example of person vs. nature, specifically natural disasters.

The story follows a group of storm-chasers. Jo is determined to capture readings from inside a tornado.

As the tornadoes get more and more powerful and deadly, the movie shows the dangers of recklessly chasing an impossible goal and the devastation it can leave behind.

Cast Away starring Tom Hanks is another great example.

The man vs. nature conflict occurs when the main character Chuck survives a plane crash and must survive on a deserted island.

The themes of man’s resourcefulness and will to survive are explored as he learns to survive on the island and later finds his way home.

It also explores the theme of nature as a tool to reconnect with what is important in life.

The Day After Tomorrow is an apocalyptic movie released in 2004.

It’s an action film that is also a warning about the dangers of climate change, though with a very Hollywood flare.

A paleoclimatologist warns that climate change could cause a new ice age, but he’s ignored. Then the ice age arrives almost immediately with severe, tragic storms.

The person vs. nature conflict shows people trying to survive this sudden climatological shift.

It illustrates the consequences of human-driven climate change and the dangers of ignoring scientific warning signs.

We’re sure you can think of many other man vs. nature movies, from The Perfect Storm to Sharknado .

There is no shortage of story ideas for character vs. nature conflicts. It’s a great way to use a familiar conflict to illustrate important, relevant themes.

What are your favorite man vs. nature stories?

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Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and blog manager at ProWritingAid. She sails the seven internet seas, breaking tropes and bending genres. She has a background in anthropology and education, which brings fresh perspectives to her romance novels. When she’s not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and basset hound.

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Nature Essay for Students and Children

500+ words nature essay.

Nature is an important and integral part of mankind. It is one of the greatest blessings for human life; however, nowadays humans fail to recognize it as one. Nature has been an inspiration for numerous poets, writers, artists and more of yesteryears. This remarkable creation inspired them to write poems and stories in the glory of it. They truly valued nature which reflects in their works even today. Essentially, nature is everything we are surrounded by like the water we drink, the air we breathe, the sun we soak in, the birds we hear chirping, the moon we gaze at and more. Above all, it is rich and vibrant and consists of both living and non-living things. Therefore, people of the modern age should also learn something from people of yesteryear and start valuing nature before it gets too late.

Significance of Nature

Nature has been in existence long before humans and ever since it has taken care of mankind and nourished it forever. In other words, it offers us a protective layer which guards us against all kinds of damages and harms. Survival of mankind without nature is impossible and humans need to understand that.

If nature has the ability to protect us, it is also powerful enough to destroy the entire mankind. Every form of nature, for instance, the plants , animals , rivers, mountains, moon, and more holds equal significance for us. Absence of one element is enough to cause a catastrophe in the functioning of human life.

We fulfill our healthy lifestyle by eating and drinking healthy, which nature gives us. Similarly, it provides us with water and food that enables us to do so. Rainfall and sunshine, the two most important elements to survive are derived from nature itself.

Further, the air we breathe and the wood we use for various purposes are a gift of nature only. But, with technological advancements, people are not paying attention to nature. The need to conserve and balance the natural assets is rising day by day which requires immediate attention.

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Conservation of Nature

In order to conserve nature, we must take drastic steps right away to prevent any further damage. The most important step is to prevent deforestation at all levels. Cutting down of trees has serious consequences in different spheres. It can cause soil erosion easily and also bring a decline in rainfall on a major level.

Polluting ocean water must be strictly prohibited by all industries straightaway as it causes a lot of water shortage. The excessive use of automobiles, AC’s and ovens emit a lot of Chlorofluorocarbons’ which depletes the ozone layer. This, in turn, causes global warming which causes thermal expansion and melting of glaciers.

Therefore, we should avoid personal use of the vehicle when we can, switch to public transport and carpooling. We must invest in solar energy giving a chance for the natural resources to replenish.

In conclusion, nature has a powerful transformative power which is responsible for the functioning of life on earth. It is essential for mankind to flourish so it is our duty to conserve it for our future generations. We must stop the selfish activities and try our best to preserve the natural resources so life can forever be nourished on earth.

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For Man and Nature: Building a Community of Life Together

Editor's Note : President Xi Jinping on Thursday delivered a speech via video at the Leaders Summit on Climate. Following is the full text:

Honorable President Joe Biden,

Honorable colleagues,

It is a great pleasure to join you at the Leaders Summit on Climate on Earth Day. I wish to thank President Biden for the kind invitation. It is good to have this opportunity to have an in-depth exchange of views with you on climate change, and to discuss ways to tackle this challenge and find a path forward for man and Nature to live in harmony.

Since the time of the industrial civilization, mankind has created massive material wealth. Yet, it has come at a cost of intensified exploitation of natural resources, which disrupted the balance in the Earth's ecosystem, and laid bare the growing tensions in the human-Nature relationship. In recent years, climate change, biodiversity loss, worsening desertification and frequent extreme weather events have all posed severe challenges to human survival and development. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has added difficulty to economic and social development across countries. Faced with unprecedented challenges in global environmental governance, the international community needs to come up with unprecedented ambition and action. We need to act with a sense of responsibility and unity, and work together to foster a community of life for man and Nature.

－We must be committed to harmony between man and Nature. "All things that grow live in harmony and benefit from the nourishment of Nature." Mother Nature is the cradle of all living beings, including humans. It provides everything essential for humanity to survive and thrive. Mother Nature has nourished us, and we must treat Nature as our root, respect it, protect it, and follow its laws. Failure to respect Nature or follow its laws will only invite its revenge. Systemic spoil of Nature will take away the foundation of human survival and development, and will leave us human beings like a river without a source and a tree without its roots. We should protect Nature and preserve the environment like we protect our eyes, and endeavor to foster a new relationship where man and Nature can both prosper and live in harmony.

－We must be committed to green development. Green mountains are gold mountains. To protect the environment is to protect productivity, and to improve the environment is to boost productivity－the truth is as simple as that. We must abandon development models that harm or undermine the environment, and must say no to shortsighted approaches of going after near-term development gains at the expense of the environment. Much to the contrary, we need to ride the trend of technological revolution and industrial transformation, seize the enormous opportunity in green transition, and let the power of innovation drive us to upgrade our economic, energy and industrial structures, and make sure that a sound environment is there to buttress sustainable economic and social development worldwide.

－We must be committed to systemic governance. Mountains, rivers, forests as well as farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts all make indivisible parts of the ecosystem. Protecting the ecosystem requires more than a simplistic, palliative approach. We need to follow the innate laws of the ecosystem and properly balance all elements and aspects of Nature. This is a way that may take us where we want to be, an ecosystem in sound circulation and overall balance.

－We must be committed to a people-centered approach. The environment concerns the well-being of people in all countries. We need to take into full account people's longing for a better life and a good environment as well as our responsibility for future generations. We need to look for ways to protect the environment, grow the economy, create jobs and remove poverty all at the same time, so as to deliver social equity and justice in the course of green transition and increase people's sense of benefit, happiness and security.

－We must be committed to multilateralism. We need to work on the basis of international law, follow the principle of equity and justice, and focus on effective actions. We need to uphold the UN-centered international system, comply with the objectives and principles laid out in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement, and strive to deliver the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We need to each take stronger actions, strengthen partnerships and cooperation, learn from each other and make common progress in the new journey toward global carbon neutrality. In this process, we must join hands, not point fingers at each other; we must maintain continuity, not reverse course easily; and we must honor commitments, not go back on promises.

China welcomes the United States' return to the multilateral climate governance process. Not long ago, the Chinese and US sides released a Joint Statement Addressing the Climate Crisis. China looks forward to working with the international community including the United States to jointly advance global environmental governance.

－We must be committed to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities is the cornerstone of global climate governance. Developing countries now face multiple challenges to combat COVID-19, grow the economy, and address climate change. We need to give full recognition to developing countries' contribution to climate action and accommodate their particular difficulties and concerns. Developed countries need to increase climate ambition and action. At the same time, they need to make concrete efforts to help developing countries strengthen the capacity and resilience against climate change, support them in financing, technology, and capacity building, and refrain from creating green trade barriers, so as to help developing countries accelerate the transition to green and low-carbon development.

Colleagues,

The Chinese civilization has always valued harmony between man and Nature as well as observance of the laws of Nature. It has been our constant pursuit that man and Nature could live in harmony with each other. Ecological advancement and conservation have been written into China's Constitution and incorporated into China's overall plan for building socialism with Chinese characteristics. China will follow the Thought on Ecological Civilization and implement the new development philosophy. We will aim to achieve greener economic and social development in all aspects, with a special focus on developing green and low-carbon energy. We will continue to prioritize ecological conservation and pursue a green and low-carbon path to development.

Last year, I made the official announcement that China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. This major strategic decision is made based on our sense of responsibility to build a community with a shared future for mankind and our own need to secure sustainable development. China has committed to move from carbon peak to carbon neutrality in a much shorter time span than what might take many developed countries, and that requires extraordinarily hard efforts from China. The targets of carbon peak and carbon neutrality have been added to China's overall plan for ecological conservation. We are now making an action plan and are already taking strong nationwide actions toward carbon peak. Support is being given to peaking pioneers from localities, sectors and companies. China will strictly control coal-fired power generation projects, and strictly limit the increase in coal consumption over the 14th Five-Year Plan period and phase it down in the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Moreover, China has decided to accept the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and tighten regulations over non-carbon dioxide emissions. China's national carbon market will also start trading.

As a participant, contributor and trailblazer in global ecological conservation, China is firmly committed to putting multilateralism into action and promoting a fair and equitable system of global environmental governance for win-win cooperation. China will host COP15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity this October and looks forward to working with all parties to enhance global governance on biodiversity. We support COP26 to the UNFCCC in achieving positive outcomes. As we in China often say,"It is more important to show people how to fish than just giving them fish." China has done its best to help developing countries build capacity against climate change through various forms of results-oriented South-South cooperation. From remote sensing satellites for climate monitoring in Africa to low-carbon demonstration zones in Southeast Asia and to energy-efficient lights in small island countries, such cooperation has yielded real, tangible and solid results. China has also made ecological cooperation a key part of Belt and Road cooperation. A number of green action initiatives have been launched, covering wide-ranging efforts in green infrastructure, green energy, green transport and green finance, to bring enduring benefits to the people of all Belt and Road partner countries.

As we say in China,"When people pull together, nothing is too heavy to be lifted." Climate change poses pressing, formidable and long-term challenges to us all. Yet I am confident that as long as we unite in our purposes and efforts and work together with solidarity and mutual assistance, we will rise above the global climate and environment challenges and leave a clean and beautiful world to future generations.

21 Man vs Nature Examples (Conflict Plots in Literature)

Man vs nature is one of six types of conflict in literature and film. The man vs nature conflict involves a protagonist’s battle against the formidable and unpredictable nature of … well, nature.

This conflict is often used by authors who will use concepts around survival, humanity’s place in the cosmos, and the human spirit of exploration and pushing the boundaries. However, often, the conflict between man and nature is also posited as a metaphor for our inner struggles and conflicts.

One of my favorite examples of the man vs nature conflict motif is in Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild,” a true story about Christopher McCandless, a young adult who leaves his conventional life behind to venture into the Alaskan wilderness, where he challenges himself against the elements.

Man vs Nature Conflict: When to Use It

At its heart, man vs nature is a conflict between an individual’s will and capability versus the uncontrollable and often harsh conditions of the natural world.

This type of conflict can manifest in many different ways in an author’s writing. For example, it may be an exploration of the battle for survival in a remote or ‘alien’ environment; or, a struggle against a natural disaster or dystopian future where nature is taking back over the cities (like in the Will Smith movie I am Legend ).

The core obstacle or ‘challenge’ in these plotlines is usually physical survival against the forces of nature that are beyond human control.

These conflicts often contain a message of how humans have the remarkable ability to adapt, persevere, and find meaning in the vast world that dwarfs us all. They may also put forward messages about resilience, adaptability, respect for the natural world, and the insignificance of man when pitted against the awe of nature.

Man vs Nature Examples

• “The Old Man and the Sea” (Ernest Hemingway): This novel revolves around an old Cuban fisherman, Santiago, who struggles against a giant marlin in the Gulf Stream. Hemingway’s tale of man vs nature focuses on Santiago’s unwavering determination and respect for the marlin, even as he battles it.
• “Life of Pi” (Yann Martel): In this book, Pi Patel finds himself stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The majority of the novel concerns Pi’s struggle to survive in the face of natural elements and coexist with the wild creature.
• “Into the Wild” (Jon Krakauer): This non-fiction book tells the story of Christopher McCandless, who abandons civilization to live in the Alaskan wilderness. The narrative explores his struggle to survive in the face of extreme natural conditions, highlighting the brutality and indifference of nature.
• “Gravity” (Directed by Alfonso Cuarón): This movie depicts the story of medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone, played by Sandra Bullock, stranded in space after her shuttle is destroyed. Her fight to survive against the harsh conditions of outer space exemplifies a man vs nature conflict, albeit in an unconventional environment.
• “The Perfect Storm” (Sebastian Junger): This book recounts the real-life ordeal of the crew of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat caught in a massive storm at sea. Junger’s detailed exploration of the crew’s struggle against the power of a ferocious storm personifies the relentless and unforgiving forces of nature.
• “Hatchet” (Gary Paulsen): This novel tells the story of Brian, a young boy who survives a plane crash only to find himself alone in the Canadian wilderness. With nothing but a hatchet his mother gave him, Brian must learn to survive against the elements, wildlife, and his own fears.
• “127 Hours” (Directed by Danny Boyle): This film is based on the true story of Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who becomes trapped by a boulder in an isolated canyon in Utah. He must battle dehydration, exposure, and ultimately make a horrifying decision in order to survive.
• “Moby Dick” (Herman Melville): The epic tale of Captain Ahab’s obsession with the white whale, Moby Dick, highlights the relentless and dangerous nature of the sea, as well as the destructive power of obsession when pitted against an uncaring nature.
• “Wild” (Cheryl Strayed): In this memoir, Strayed narrates her journey along the Pacific Crest Trail following a series of personal tragedies. Throughout her journey, she confronts physical challenges, wildlife, and extreme weather, embodying the man vs nature conflict.
• “The Martian” (Andy Weir): This novel tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney who gets left behind on Mars by his crew, thinking he died in a storm. Watney must overcome numerous hurdles, including growing food on a barren planet and surviving harsh Martian conditions, underlining the conflict of man vs the harsh, unyielding Martian environment.
• “The Road” (Cormac McCarthy): This novel follows a father and his young son as they journey across a post-apocalyptic landscape, battling against the harsh elements, scarcity of resources, and other survivors. The entire book is a struggle against nature transformed into something desolate and deadly by cataclysm.
• “Jaws” (Directed by Steven Spielberg): In this film, a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, leading a trio of men to fight back. The struggle against this fierce predator underlines the man vs nature conflict.
• “The Revenant” (Michael Punke): Based on a true story, this novel follows frontiersman Hugh Glass, who is mauled by a grizzly bear and abandoned by his companions. He must survive his injuries, the harsh wilderness, and winter weather in his quest for survival and revenge.
• “Into Thin Air” (Jon Krakauer): This non-fiction book by Krakauer himself details his experience in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, in which several climbers died due to a storm and severe conditions on the world’s highest mountain. The account showcases the unforgiving harshness of nature at its most extreme.
• “All Is Lost” (Directed by J.C. Chandor): In this film, an unnamed man, played by Robert Redford, is sailing alone in the Indian Ocean when his yacht collides with a shipping container. With his navigation equipment and radio disabled, he must rely on maps, a sextant, and the currents to survive.
• “Call of the Wild” (Jack London): The novel is set in Yukon, Canada during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush and follows Buck, a domesticated dog who is stolen from his home in California and sold into service as a sled dog in Alaska. He must learn to adapt to survive the harsh environment, illustrating the classic struggle of man (or in this case, animal) vs nature.

Other Types of Conflict in Literature and Film

The man vs nature plot is one of the most common, but it’s also often blended with the other types of conflict, and blending them allows you to create interesting, engaging, and compelling storylines.

Below are all six types of conflict. I’ve separated them into two categories – internal conflict (defined as psychological conflicts within the protagonist) and external conflicts (defined as conflicts between the protagonist and something outside of them).

The external conflicts :

• Man vs society conflict is when a character is pitted against the larger forces of culture, tradition, or societal norms. This type of conflict can arise from struggles with government institutions, social constructs such as gender roles or class divisions, or battles for freedom and justice within a community.
• Man vs nature conflict occurs when a character is struggling against forces of the natural world. This might involve survival in extreme environments like mountains or deserts, fighting off wild animals, or coping with natural disasters such as hurricanes or floods. Man vs nature conflict explores themes of human vulnerability and our relationship to the natural world.
• Man vs technology conflict is when a character faces off against machines or technological systems that have become too powerful or threatening in some way. This type of conflict often explores themes of dependence on technology, the disruption of social norms by advanced machines, and the potential dangers that come with relying too heavily on artificial intelligence.
• Man vs man conflict involves one character pitted against another character. This type of conflict can take many forms including physical confrontations, verbal battles, competition for resources or power, or ideological differences. Man vs man conflict is a staple element in many types of stories and can add tension and excitement to a plot. It also explores themes such as betrayal, trust, loyalty, and justice.
• Man vs destiny conflict is a type of conflict in which a character is struggling against their fate or the hand they have been dealt in life. This type of conflict may involve grappling with a prophecy, feeling trapped by social norms or expectations, or trying to escape an inevitable outcome. The character may feel powerless to change their circumstances and may struggle with feelings of despair and hopelessness. Man vs destiny conflict raises questions about free will ( aka human agency ) and the role of fate in our lives. Sometimes it is also considered an internal conflict.

The internal conflicts :

• Man vs self conflict is when a character struggles with their own inner demons, flaws, or limitations. This type of conflict may arise from an internal struggle with morality, identity, or personal beliefs. The character may be grappling with a decision between right and wrong, battling with their own fears and doubts, or trying to reconcile conflicting parts of themselves. Man vs self conflict delves into questions of personal growth and transformation , exploring the inner workings of the human mind and spirit.

The man vs nature plot often uses the elements of nature as a way to develop the protagonist’s identity and emotions. I personally like plots that use the battle against nature as an allegory for the character’s inner turmoil, where the physical plot and the psychological plot mirror one another, and each one pulls the plot forward in unison.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Social-Emotional Learning (Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is Educational Psychology?
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ What is IQ? (Intelligence Quotient)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University

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