Nature vs. Progress

             In their articles ¡°Hetch Hetchy¡± and ¡°A Statement of San Francisco¡¯s Side of the Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir Matter¡± John Muir and Marsden Manson are on opposing sides of a debate of nature versus progress. The Hetch Hetchy area being discussed was once a beautiful landscape neighboring Yosemite Park that had many of the same features that made Yosemite a national treasure. Both authors use a similar article structure in that they are weighing the pros and cons of developing the Hetch Hetchy area. A brief examination of their articles will show that Muir¡¯s article deals more with nature, whereas Manson¡¯s deals with a city¡¯s benefit.
             It is clear that from Muir¡¯s essay that he loves nature and the wilderness and that Hetch Hetchy is one of his favorite places to go. He gives great detail of the trees, rock formations, waterfalls, and many other aspects of the land. He believes Hetch Hetchy should not be destroyed and gives several debating points. First, he mentions that the beautiful landscape of the valley floor would be destroyed if the valley were flooded. In his description of the valley floor, Muir describes that is even more beautiful than neighboring Yosemite valley. Secondly, he mentions that the city has other resources of water that can be used instead of flooding the valley. Muir explains that San Francisco has plenty of water in its other reservoirs, such as Lake Eleanor. Also, Muir mentions that camping up stream from the reservoir would make the water not suitable for drinking. Finally, Muir talks about how all the campers that visit the valley would not have a place to go anymore. Being a great lover of the outdoors, Muir knew the beauty of the valley would be ruined by development of a reservoir.
             Marsden Mansen¡¯s article is a plea to the Sierra Club to vote for the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. He argues against Muir¡¯s three points by telling how all the water falls and ...

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Nature vs. Progress. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 06:58, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/89398.html