“They never consulted with books, and know and can tell much less than they have done. The things which they practice are said not yet to be known….His life passes deeper in nature than the studies of the naturalist penetrate; himself a subject for a naturalist. Such a man has some right to fish, and i love to see nature carried out in him” (Thoreau 307)

Thoreau seems to respect those who interact with nature on what he believes to be a truer level. The phrase “nature carried out in him” especially attracted me to this passage because it goes back to our views of nature and whether or not humans are part of nature. Thoreau is suggesting that by living the right way we become a citizen of nature rather than a disturbance to it.

“Has she been nine years growing, and now, when the great world for the first time puts out a hand to her, must she thrust it aside for a birds sake?” (Jewett, 1206).

This raises the issue of environmental justice for me. I empathize with sylvia and think it is an impossible decision for those who are impoverished to reject additional financial gains in order to protect the environment. This is why I believe true sustainability addresses both inequalities within our current generation as well as potential inequalities for future generations.