Herzog and Treadwell both had strong and different views on nature. Treadwll was very close to nature and wanted to get as close as possible. Herzog did not agree with treadwells views and didn't feel the same connections with nature. Herzog viewed Treadwells approach to nature as crazy and did not feel humans needed to become a part of nature.
Treadwell believed he was a part of nature. He thought that it was his duty to protect the bears from any enemy. He hated the government and hunters and felt threatened by them. Treadwell wished he could have become a bear because he felt he didn't fit in with the normal human society. He got very close to the bears, even touching and petting them, which ultimately took his life. Although I think Treadwell was absolutely crazy, I do agree with the idea that humans should try to be a little closer to nature. I think if we were closer to nature, we would realize the true value of it.
Herzog believed that nature was aggressive, harsh, and murderous. He did not agree with Treadwell's ideas and thought he was insane for continuously putting his life in danger to protect the bears. He did not see a reason to try to become one with nature but still appreciated it. Herzog did not think it was healthy for Treadwell to approach the bears and thought that he failed to see the violence of the creatures. He said that Treadwell had a false idea that the bears had some secret niceness, and clearly he was wrong when it cost him his life. I agree with Herzog in the sense that nature has the power to be destructive, but I don't think it takes away from the beauty of nature. I think the aspect of danger increases the beauty and we need to appreciate it more.
I like that you go through the thoughts of both people and incorporate your own views in. I agree with you that we should all try to be closer to nature, and I think that your statement that danger increases nature's beauty is really insightful. Do you think that there are ways to live within nature without crossing the line that Treadwell crossed? Herzog would probably say no, but you seem to disagree with him on some points so I'd be interested to see what you would say!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that you seem to lean more toward Treadwell's view of nature, which you back up using the idea that we need to be closer with nature. What, if anything else, do you agree with from Herzog's standpoint? Nature does have the "power to be destructive" and bears are included in this. Do you think that you would agree with the fact that bears are possibly too dangerous of creatures to involve ourselves with?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Megan! Treadwell's views are extreme, but can almost be romanticized in a way, which you seemed to do! I agree that humans should be in touch with nature as well and that the dangerous aspect of nature does not take away from the beauty. Do you think Treadwell was wrong or out of touch with reality because of what he did with a long period of his life?
ReplyDeleteI really liked what you had to say. "I agree... that nature has the power to be destructive, but I don't think it takes away from the beauty of nature. I think the aspect of danger increases the beauty and we need to appreciate it more." Yes. Sometimes the dangerous element of things adds a whole new kind of beauty. Think about sky diving versus looking outside a plane window. Looking out a window at the ground below is calming. It's pretty. However, the danger in sky diving adds to the amazement of it. Nature is similar. Watching a movie about bears is one thing, but to live with them would be something different all together.
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