An Analysis of Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek Essay

Annie Dillards Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, presents a unique way of portraying the world around us. It would be safe to say that Dillard takes nature for what it is. By thoroughly examining every aspect of the creek, Dillard gives the readers an opportunity to create their own images of what Tinker Creek truly looks like. Dillard urges us to somehow take a wider view, look at the whole landscape, really see it, and describe whats going on. Her diction choices, and apparent imagery create a flow in the novel that otherwise would not have been present. Ultimately, she clarifies her position with descriptions of her intimate relationship with the creek. Dillards diction and syntax are main contributors to her message coming across the right way. She believes that seeing is of course a matter of verbalization (33). She tries to explain that her sight alone can not grant her a satisfactory feeling. She must use her words in order to fully fathom the beauty and complexity of the environment around her. On page 110, she describes the newts skin as lighted green instead of a green that is light. By doing so, the newts suddenly seem like a much more important part of their world. On page 188, she describes that the eels skin turned silver. This description allows the eels change in shade to appear like magic. On page 248, she describes the clouds as careening and uncontrolled. Dillard is trying to explain that the creek may appear as one entity but each aspect and organism lives separately, creating an almost frenzy-like environment. On page 69, nature is described as an inexhaustible tale never ending and continues even when no one is looking. As a closed book on a shelf continues to whisper.The imagery created in this collection of essays is truly extraordinary. The authors ability to accurately portray the creek while acknowledging all of its simple aspects is fascinating. Even...

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