Grist of the Gods by John Burroughs
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In the Grist of the Gods written in 1908, John Burroughs reveals his knowledge on the evolution of the earth and its geologic history. He writes of how the soil of the earth affects our daily lives and how without it we would cease to exist, he writes that soil is the “framework of the globe”(159). Beyond demonstrating how soil is an important and vital element in our lives, Burroughs also describes the process of how decay and death are a part of life. He reference the gods of Erosion as being responsible for winding time and forcing that which we deem as decay and death as partaking in creating life. He proves this even more by showing us how the million organism that digest bacteria in the soil clean the soil and make it possible for plants to grow and survive. Beyond praising the earth and all of its elements, Burroughs hints to how decrepit the world has become due to our ignorance of it, he writes “ One cannot but reflect what a sucked orange the earth will be in the course of a few more centuries”(162)
During the time in which Burroughs wrote this essay, science was just beginning to appeal to society. In past decades science was considered a subject that was immoral and even dangerous for the common people for it questioned the ideas of God and the control of the church. What is interesting in this piece, considering the historical context is that Burroughs wrote about the science of geology in a poetical form, in a simple manner, which was accessible to the common person. It seems to me that Burroughs was much like Mark Twain and other writes who wrote for the people instead of for the intellectual/upper class. Despite the fact that in this essay Burroughs covers a subject which deals particularly with logos (logic) he manages to write about his scientific knowledge with imagery and poetical form using (pathos). One can get a sense of his passion for geology from the beginning all towards the end.
By making this piece accessible to those with limited knowledge of science one can see that Burroughs main purpose was to illustrate the importance of the knowledge of nature, in the hopes that with this knowledge the people and society and general can take care of the earth they live in. Therefore he accomplishes two things, to inform the reader and to persuade him to react and become responsible for the world that surrounds them.
Overall what makes this piece so effective is Burroughs uses of rhetorical devices, he persuades without obliging the reader but by handing him information. It is almost as if he is saying “ take this information and do with it as you like”, in by indirectly forcing one to realize how important it is to maintain nature. He even personifies the earth as “a mother with a fruitful womb”, stating how it takes care of us (her children) but we should also take care of her. Burroughs mainly uses imagery to invoke the senses, to have the reader see, smell, and touch the soil and the fruit and vegetables we eat in one particular section he writes
“The quivering and the throbbing of the earth under our feet in changes of temperature, the bending and oscillations of the crust under the thread of the great atmospheric waves, the vital fermentations and oxidations in the soil- are all beyond the reach of our dull senses” (166)
In this particular quote one can see Burroughs uniqueness with using language. He uses not only irony to reveal how in fact we as humans are incapable of fully sensing the earth as it transforms under our feet but he uses vivid words to give a sense to the reader, one after reading this can almost feel that which our sense does not allow us to feel. The words quivering, throbbing, bending, crust, and atmospheric waves invoke this sort of feeling, and attachment that Burroughs hopes one can sense. One can say that Burroughs definitely has a way with words and moreover an unremarkable gift for turning science, from a mere subject of logic, into one of passion and poetic appeal.
During the time in which Burroughs wrote this essay, science was just beginning to appeal to society. In past decades science was considered a subject that was immoral and even dangerous for the common people for it questioned the ideas of God and the control of the church. What is interesting in this piece, considering the historical context is that Burroughs wrote about the science of geology in a poetical form, in a simple manner, which was accessible to the common person. It seems to me that Burroughs was much like Mark Twain and other writes who wrote for the people instead of for the intellectual/upper class. Despite the fact that in this essay Burroughs covers a subject which deals particularly with logos (logic) he manages to write about his scientific knowledge with imagery and poetical form using (pathos). One can get a sense of his passion for geology from the beginning all towards the end.
By making this piece accessible to those with limited knowledge of science one can see that Burroughs main purpose was to illustrate the importance of the knowledge of nature, in the hopes that with this knowledge the people and society and general can take care of the earth they live in. Therefore he accomplishes two things, to inform the reader and to persuade him to react and become responsible for the world that surrounds them.
Overall what makes this piece so effective is Burroughs uses of rhetorical devices, he persuades without obliging the reader but by handing him information. It is almost as if he is saying “ take this information and do with it as you like”, in by indirectly forcing one to realize how important it is to maintain nature. He even personifies the earth as “a mother with a fruitful womb”, stating how it takes care of us (her children) but we should also take care of her. Burroughs mainly uses imagery to invoke the senses, to have the reader see, smell, and touch the soil and the fruit and vegetables we eat in one particular section he writes
“The quivering and the throbbing of the earth under our feet in changes of temperature, the bending and oscillations of the crust under the thread of the great atmospheric waves, the vital fermentations and oxidations in the soil- are all beyond the reach of our dull senses” (166)
In this particular quote one can see Burroughs uniqueness with using language. He uses not only irony to reveal how in fact we as humans are incapable of fully sensing the earth as it transforms under our feet but he uses vivid words to give a sense to the reader, one after reading this can almost feel that which our sense does not allow us to feel. The words quivering, throbbing, bending, crust, and atmospheric waves invoke this sort of feeling, and attachment that Burroughs hopes one can sense. One can say that Burroughs definitely has a way with words and moreover an unremarkable gift for turning science, from a mere subject of logic, into one of passion and poetic appeal.