# Nature and the Environment in Poetry

> Theme guide for Poetry by James McIntyre.

Nature is depicted as both a source of beauty and a force to be contended with, from the lament of the maple tree and the majesty of Niagara Falls to the dangers of blizzards, fires, and wild animals.

## Where it surfaces

- [Prologue to South Ontario Sketches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/prologue-to-south-ontario-sketches): The poem highlights the natural features of South Ontario—lakes, rivers, streams, and maple boughs—as worthy of admiration and poetic treatment.
- [Welcome to the Prince of Wales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/welcome-to-the-prince-of-wales): References to the maple tree, woods, hills, dales, and lakes highlight the natural landscape of Canada.
- [Lament of the Maple Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lament-of-the-maple-tree): The entire poem is a personified lament of a maple tree, exploring its beauty, seasonal cycles, and its role in the Canadian landscape.
- [Lines on Violets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-violets): The poem highlights the surprising vitality of violets in winter, emphasizing nature's resilience and beauty.
- [Fight of a Buffalo with Wolves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fight-of-a-buffalo-with-wolves): The poem vividly depicts a brutal natural struggle between a buffalo and a wolf pack, emphasizing the raw and unforgiving aspects of wildlife.
- [Fight with a Bear in the Northwest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fight-with-a-bear-in-the-northwest): The harsh winter landscape and wildlife (trout, buffalo, bear) are central to the narrative.
- [Canadian Sports and Games and Plays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/canadian-sports-and-games-and-plays): Winter landscapes and ice are central to many activities, from sleigh rides to curling and ice boating.
- [Niagara's Charms and Death of Capt. Webb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/niagara-s-charms-and-death-of-capt-webb): The poem vividly portrays Niagara Falls as a sublime natural wonder, with imagery of thundering water, rainbows, and the whirlpool, emphasizing nature's overwhelming power and beauty.
- [Lines on Canadian Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-canadian-hunter): Detailed descriptions of wild animals and the natural landscape underscore the hunter's relationship with the environment.
- [Canadian Rivers and Lakes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/canadian-rivers-and-lakes): The poem focuses on the serene and majestic qualities of Canadian rivers and lakes, celebrating the natural landscape.
- [Life in the Woods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/life-in-the-woods): Wood is portrayed as a vital resource that provides shelter, warmth, and materials for building, contrasting with the open prairie.
- [Port Stanley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/port-stanley): The poem contrasts the stormy, dreary winter of Lake Erie with its calm, cheerful summer beauty, emphasizing the natural setting.
- [London Flood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/london-flood): The poem vividly depicts the destructive power of nature through the flood's overwhelming force, which swept away homes, railroads, and fertile land.
- [London West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/london-west): The chapter highlights the destructive power of the Thames River in London West, contrasting it with the pastoral Thames in Ingersoll, and discusses human interventions like dams and embankments.
- [English Names on Canadian Thames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/english-names-on-canadian-thames): Vivid imagery of the river's meandering course, sunbeams dancing on water, and cattle grazing under elms emphasizes the natural landscape.
- [Lines on Thamesford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-thamesford): The poem vividly describes the Thames River flowing over a pebble bed, sparkling like silver in the sun, and the pastoral landscape of pasture lands.
- [Lines on a Fountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-a-fountain): The poem exalts the natural fountain and its pristine setting in the wild woods and rocky dell, untouched by human presence.
- [Poetry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/poetry): The poem draws extensively on natural imagery—stars, sunbeams, streams, birds, deer, flowers, and bees—to illustrate the essence of poetry.
- [Adventure on a Raft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/adventure-on-a-raft): The poem vividly depicts the power of nature through the storm, open sea, and the man's struggle for survival against the elements.
- [Mrs. Moody](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/mrs-moody): The chapter mentions Mrs. Traill writing about wildflowers, reflecting a deep engagement with Canada's natural environment.
- [Lines on Thorold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-thorold): The vivid descriptions of hills, lake views, gardens, and the haze of Niagara Falls emphasize the natural beauty of the area.
- [Snake and Potato Bug](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/snake-and-potato-bug): The chapter focuses on a snake and a potato bug in a jar, highlighting a small, curious interaction in the natural world.
- [Little Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/little-lake): The poem celebrates the beauty and tranquility of northern lakes, using natural imagery to frame the incident.
- [A Bird's Nest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/a-bird-s-nest): The poem centers on the protection of a bird nest and the natural growth of the young birds.
- [A Concert—Impromptu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/a-concert-impromptu): Doctor Gardiner's story of overcoming snow drifts emphasizes the harsh winter environment and human resilience.
- [Potato Bug Exterminators](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/potato-bug-exterminators): The poem advocates for working with nature (peafowl as pest control) rather than relying on chemical poisons like Paris green.
- [Coleridge, Southey and Wordsworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/coleridge-southey-and-wordsworth): The poets drew inspiration from England's lakes, hills, streams, and the distant Scottish mountains.
- [Longfellow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/longfellow): References to 'Hiawatha' and the planting of corn by the great spirit evoke themes of nature and the natural world.
- [Millar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/millar): Millar's role as Commissioner of Forest Land highlights a connection to nature and environmental stewardship.
- [Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/holmes): The poem evokes imagery of flowery fields, emphasizing a connection to the natural landscape.
- [Electric Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/electric-light): Despite the wonder of electric light, the poet humbly acknowledges its inferiority to the natural beauty of the sun, moon, and stars.
- [Dick and Edward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/dick-and-edward): The poem highlights the uncovering of nature's concealed secrets through scientific inquiry.
- [Canada Before the Confederation of the Provinces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/canada-before-the-confederation-of-the-provinces): The chapter vividly describes the natural landscape, including the Rocky Mountains, rivers, and fertile plains, emphasizing the environment's role in shaping settlement and agriculture.
- [Canada's Future](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/canada-s-future): The poem emphasizes Canada's vast rivers, mighty lakes, and grand scale of nature.
- [Province of Ontario](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/province-of-ontario): Vivid descriptions of lakes, forests, islands, and wildlife showcase the natural environment as a source of pride and livelihood.
- [Niagara Dry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/niagara-dry): The poem focuses on a rare natural event caused by ice and wind, highlighting the power and unpredictability of nature.
- [Land Clearing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/land-clearing): The description of fire spreading through dry woods and the awakening of snakes and bull frogs highlights the settler's interaction with the natural world.
- [Lines Read at a Maple Sugar Social](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-read-at-a-maple-sugar-social): The poem celebrates the maple bush and the natural sweetness of maple sap, linking it to the arrival of spring and bird songs.
- [Lines Sent to Thomas Conant of Oshawa, a Writer of Canadian Sketches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-sent-to-thomas-conant-of-oshawa-a-writer-of-canadian-sketches): The poem highlights Conant's sketches of birds, owls, and the natural beauty of Canadian woods and farms.
- [Holland River and Its Tributaries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/holland-river-and-its-tributaries): The chapter focuses on the natural course of the Holland River and its tributaries, celebrating the landscape and waterways of Southern Ontario.
- [The Vale of Thames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/the-vale-of-thames): The poem vividly describes the natural landscape of the Vale of Thames, with cattle grazing on sweet green pastures, emphasizing the harmony and beauty of rural life.
- [Thanksgiving Ode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/thanksgiving-ode): The changing seasons—frost, rain, and warmth—are described as shaping the landscape and the fortunes of the community.
- [Eagle and Salmon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/eagle-and-salmon): The poem depicts a dramatic natural event—an eagle hunting a salmon—and the fatal outcome of their struggle.
- [Captain's Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/captain-s-adventure): The harsh blizzard and the owl's role as a guide highlight the power and mystery of the natural world.
- [Origin of the Toboggan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/origin-of-the-toboggan): The setting in the interior north of Lake Superior and the depiction of bears in their natural habitat.
- [Bear and Falls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/bear-and-falls): The chapter vividly describes the Niagara River and the perilous falls, emphasizing the raw power of nature and the risks it poses to both humans and animals.
- [Bear Hunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/bear-hunt): The poem depicts a direct and violent encounter with wildlife, highlighting the untamed natural environment of the region.
- [Coon Hunting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/coon-hunting): The discovery of coons in a hollow tree highlights the close interaction between settlers and the natural world.
- [Sailor's Yarn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/sailor-s-yarn): The poem depicts the harsh and unpredictable nature of the northern seas, with icebergs, seals, bears, and a whale that masquerades as an island.
- [Wild Goose Shot at Midnight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/wild-goose-shot-at-midnight): The poem depicts the migration of wild geese and the hunter's interaction with the natural world, highlighting both the beauty and the harsh realities of rural life.
- [Bear and Whale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/bear-and-whale): Uses animal allegory of bear and whale to represent geopolitical conflict, emphasizing natural elements like sea, shore, and wildlife.
- [Caledonia Springs, New York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/caledonia-springs-new-york): The poem celebrates the natural spring, its geological features, and the fish hatcheries, emphasizing the wonder and utility of the environment.
- [The Useful Weed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/the-useful-weed): The poem reconsiders the value of weeds, suggesting they may serve future human needs for food, medicine, dye, clothing, or paper.
- [Fighting for Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fighting-for-home): The poem depicts a natural struggle between a hawk and a mink in a rural setting.
- [Lines on a Lawn Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-a-lawn-party): The poem focuses on the rare night-blooming cereus and the oleander, emphasizing the beauty and wonder of natural phenomena.
- [Lay of the Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lay-of-the-spring): The poem celebrates the seasonal shift from winter to spring, highlighting sunshine, showers, green grass, buds, and leafy bowers.
- [Seal Fishing and Hunting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/seal-fishing-and-hunting): Detailed depiction of seals in their natural habitat and the hunting practices of Indigenous peoples.
- [Snake and Its Young](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/snake-and-its-young): The poem focuses on a close observation of wildlife, specifically a snake and its young, highlighting the natural behavior of the animal.
- [Whale and Its Foes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/whale-and-its-foes): The poem vividly depicts a natural struggle between marine creatures, emphasizing the raw and violent aspects of the natural world.
- [Tiger and Elephant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/tiger-and-elephant): The poem depicts a vivid scene of wildlife in the jungle, focusing on the behaviors of tigers and elephants in their natural habitat.
- [Little Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/little-hero): The harsh Nevada wilderness, with its mountains, rain, and wolves, plays a central role in the children's ordeal and rescue.
- [Riding an Avalanche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/riding-an-avalanche): The avalanche and snowy mountain landscape are central to the narrative, highlighting the power and unpredictability of nature.
- [The Glorious Land of Maple Leaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/the-glorious-land-of-maple-leaf): Imagery of woods, lakes, streams, and beavers highlights the natural landscape as a source of national identity.
- [Peculiarities of Oxford County](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/peculiarities-of-oxford-county): The description of windmills in picturesque settings and the emphasis on pure water and rich grass underscore the connection between the natural environment and rural life.
- [The Apiary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/the-apiary): The chapter vividly depicts bees interacting with flowers, gardens, and fields, emphasizing the natural environment and the bees' role within it.
- [Tile Drains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/tile-drains): The poem discusses the interaction between human intervention (drainage) and natural processes, including the impact of deforestation on water systems.
- [Great Fire in Michigan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/great-fire-in-michigan): The fire is depicted as a destructive natural force that clears the bush, with both devastating and regenerative effects on the landscape.
- [A Pleasing Illusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/a-pleasing-illusion): The poem vividly depicts the natural beauty of spring, including the sun, water, snow, and flowers, emphasizing the joy of seasonal change.
- [MacGregor's Gathering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/macgregor-s-gathering): Imagery of forests, rivers, and natural elements underscores the clan's connection to the land.
- [Big Stag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/big-stag): The stag and its family are depicted in a natural, idyllic setting, emphasizing the beauty and vulnerability of wildlife.
- [Eagle and Stag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/eagle-and-stag): The poem vividly describes the Highland wilderness and the raw struggle between eagle and stag, emphasizing the beauty and brutality of the natural world.
- [Fight in a Cave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fight-in-a-cave): The cave, storm, and wild bear highlight the untamed natural environment that settlers had to navigate.
- [Tom Norton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/tom-norton): The island's lush setting with palm trees, caves, and lake provides a backdrop for survival and romance, highlighting nature's beauty and danger.
- [Child and Horse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/child-and-horse): The storm, cold, and woods are central to the peril and eventual rescue, highlighting the harshness of the natural environment.
- [Mule and Bear Fight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/mule-and-bear-fight): The wilderness setting and the bear as a natural threat highlight the untamed environment settlers faced.
- [Bear and Buzzsaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/bear-and-buzzsaw): The bear symbolizes wild nature confronting human industry.
- [Alligator Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/alligator-rider): The poem highlights the wild Florida landscape and the alligator as a formidable natural creature.
- [The Flood on the Creek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/the-flood-on-the-creek): The flood is a powerful natural force that destroys the bard's property, illustrating the unpredictable and destructive power of nature.
- [Big Crops of 1891](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/big-crops-of-1891): The favorable weather—blessed showers of rain and cool air—is credited for the large, full ears of grain, highlighting the dependence on natural conditions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/themes/nature_and_the_environment
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/themes