Passage 1: Excerpt of John Muir’s “Calypso Borealis” Passage 2: William Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” Both passages use the word “lonely” in their first sentence. By the end of each text, however, the authors are no longer lonely. In a paragraph of 4-6 sentences, explain what changed their perspectives. What does each experience reveal about the power of nature? Use evidence from both texts to support your answer.
Answer:
In both passages, the authors’ perspectives change from feelings of loneliness to feelings of connection and awe, largely due to their interactions with nature. In “Calypso Borealis,” John Muir starts off feeling lost and alone, but his discovery of the beautiful Calypso Borealis flower in the desolate swamp transforms his mood into one of joy and amazement. Similarly, in “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” William Wordsworth begins in a state of solitude but finds himself in a state of bliss upon stumbling upon a field of daffodils. These experiences reveal the power of nature to uplift and transform, acting as a balm to soothe the authors’ feelings of loneliness and bring them a sense of companions