Water
Water - meaning Summary
Ambivalent Natural Power
Emerson’s short poem portrays water as a wise, ambivalent force that mirrors civilization. It brings small, pleasant benefits when treated well—refreshment, decoration, doubled joy—but remains impersonal and measured. Misused, it will also destroy, doing so with a composed, even elegant inevitability. The poem presents a moral and practical observation: nature offers service and beauty but enforces consequences in exact proportion to human behavior.
Read Complete AnalysesThe water understands Civilization well; It wets my foot, but prettily, It chills my life, but wittily, It is not disconcerted, It is not broken-hearted: Well used, it decketh joy, Adorneth, doubleth joy: Ill used, it will destroy, In perfect time and measure With a face of golden pleasure Elegantly destroy.
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