ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -The eyeball is “transparent, ” which reflects the idea that a person comes to a clearer understanding of God and the world by spending time in nature. Emerson argues that people must not allow religion, tradition, science, or authority figures to dictate how they understand the natural and supernatural.

Detailed explanation-2: -The transparent eyeball is a philosophical metaphor originated by American transcendentalist philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. In his essay Nature, the metaphor stands for a view of life that is absorbent rather than reflective, and therefore takes in all that nature has to offer without bias or contradiction.

Detailed explanation-3: -Emerson’s image of a “transparent eyeball” is one of the most famous passages in all of his works. How is this image a description of a visionary experience of God? Speaks to definition we discussed that in order to fully understand God/universe/self, we must let go of individual identity and fully participate in life.

Detailed explanation-4: -Emerson asserts throughout Nature the primacy of spirit over matter. Nature’s purpose is as a representation of the divine to promote human insight into the laws of the universe, and thus to bring man closer to God.

Detailed explanation-5: -For Emerson, nature is not God but the body of God’s soul-"nature, ” he writes, is “mind precipitated.” Emerson feels that to fully realize one’s role in this respect is to be in paradise. He ends “Nature” with these words: “Every moment instructs, and every object; for wisdom is infused into every form.