Nature and the Environment

Where it surfaces

• Discussion and Bed

  The narrator's mood shifts upon encountering the moonlit river and clear sky, contrasting the oppressive urban environment with the beauty of nature.

• II: A Morning Bath

  The narrator marvels at the clear water, blooming gardens, and absence of industrial smoke, highlighting a restored natural environment.

• IV: A Market by the Way

  The landscape is transformed into sunny meadows, garden-like tillage, and a rescued creek with gay boats, emphasizing harmony with nature.

• Children on the Road

  Kensington Wood is depicted as a romantic, wild space where children and adults live in tents during summer, emphasizing a life integrated with nature.

• An Old Friend

  The chapter contrasts the old crowded city with the new green spaces, gardens, and tree-lined lanes.

• X: Question and Answers

  The transformation of England from 'a country of huge and foul workshops' into 'a garden, where nothing is wasted and nothing is spoilt' is a central theme, with villages revived and towns blending into the countryside.

• XVIII: The Beginning of the New Life

  The new spirit of the age is described as an intense love of the earth and its surface, and nature is bettered rather than worsened by contact with mankind.

• XXI: Going Up the River

  The sunny morning, the Thames river, the noble trees, and the beautiful waterside houses create a pastoral setting that enhances the joy of the journey and the hayfield work.

• XXIII: An Early Morning by the Runnymede

  The chapter opens with a vivid description of the riverside at dawn, emphasizing the beauty and harmony of the natural world, which is central to the new society's values.

• XXV: The Third Day on the Thames

  The chapter highlights the rich wildlife and the villagers' deep knowledge of flora and fauna, contrasting with the ignorance of past country folk.

• XXVII: The Upper Waters

  The beauty of the Thames landscape and the restoration of natural surroundings after the removal of railways and industrial blight highlight the harmony with nature.

• XXVIII: The Little River

  Ellen and the Guest marvel at the small scale and beauty of the upper Thames, contrasting it with the careless past.

• The Journey's End

  The beauty of the river and its banks is celebrated, with emphasis on careful stewardship that blends utility with natural aesthetics.

• XXXI: An Old House Amongst New Folk

  Ellen's profound love for the earth, seasons, and the old house embodies the theme of harmony with nature.

• The Feast's Beginning … The End

  Dick expresses a passionate love for the earth and the changing seasons, contrasting with the old world's distaste for nature's drama.