Winter Sunshine by John Burroughs
The narrative revolves around the author's observations of nature during a winter trip to the mountains. He describes the landscape's stark beauty and the ways in which it contrasts with the lushness of summer. The text also touches on themes of solitude, contemplation, and the human relationship with the natural world.
By John Burroughs · First published 1866 · Genre: Nature Writing, Essays, Philosophical · 8 chapters · 70,589 words
First lines
An American resident in England is reported as saying that the English have an atmosphere but no climate. The reverse of this remark would apply pretty accurately to our own case. We certainly have a climate, a two-edged one that cuts both ways, threatening us with sun-stroke on the one hand and with frost-stroke on the other; but we have no atmosphere to speak of in New York and New England, except now and then during the dog-days, or the fitful and uncertain Indian Summer. An atmosphere, the quality of tone and mellowness in the near distance, is the product of a more humid climate. Hence, as we go south from New York,the atmospheric effects become more rich and varied, until on reaching the Potomac you find an atmosphere as well as a climate. The latter is still on the vehement American scale, full of sharp and violent changes and contrasts, baking and blistering in summer, and nipping and blighting in winter, but the spaces are not so purged and bare; the horizon wall does not so often have the appearance of having just been washed and scrubbed down. There is more depth and visibility to the open air, a stronger infusion of the Indian Summer element throughout the year, than is found farther north. The days are softer and more brooding, and the nights more enchanting. It is here that Walt Whitman saw the full moon
What this Textopian page supports
Winter Sunshine is listed on Textopian as an essay by John Burroughs, dated 1866 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: John Burroughs
- Date: 1866 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Essays, Philosophical, Memoir, Literary Non-fiction
- Length: 70,589 words
- Structure: 8 chapters, 465 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Winter Sunshine by John Burroughs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Winter Sunshine?
- How does this essay by John Burroughs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Nature Writing first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Winter Walk by Henry David Thoreau
- A Barn Door Outlook by John Burroughs
- Under The Maples by John Burroughs
- Touches Of Nature by John Burroughs
- Autumnal Tints by Henry David Thoreau
- Locusts And Wild Honey by John Burroughs
Genres
- Nature Writing — The book focuses on observations of nature and the changing seasons, emphasizing the beauty and intricacies of the natural world.
- Essays — The work is composed of reflective essays that explore personal thoughts and experiences related to nature and life.
- Philosophical — Themes of introspection and contemplation on life and existence are prevalent throughout the text.
- Memoir — The narrative includes personal anecdotes and reflections, providing insight into the author's life and experiences.
Tags
Nature Writing · American Literature · Essay Collection · Philosophical · Observational · Descriptive · Poetic · Seasonal · Winter · Sunlight · Optimism · Hope
Contents
- Winter Sunshine
- The Exhilarations of the Road
- The Snow-Walkers
- The Fox
- A March Chronicle. on the Potomac
- Autumn Tides
- The Apple
- An October Abroad