This essay is a meditation on the natural world and the human experience. It explores the symbolism of the skunk, which represents both repulsion and attraction. The author reflects on the ways in which nature can be both beautiful and foul-smelling, much like the skunk's odor. He also touches on themes of mortality, decay, and the cycle of life.
By John Burroughs · First published 1869 · Genre: Nature Writing, Essays, Descriptive Prose