Seeing: An Analysis On The Value Of Simplicity In A Chaotic Universe.
In the nonfiction Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Annie Dillard details her exploration of nature. In doing so, Dillard forces readers to question reality. On page 34 of the nonfiction, Dillard constructs the tension between simplicity and chaos to demonstrate the value of simplicity in a chaotic universe.
Dillard introduces a new way of seeing in which one only sees what is presented, without any processing of information. In a universe full of stimuli, humans are constantly receiving and processing signals. Dillard believes that reality can only be seen when there is minimal processing of raw signals, and the act of processing raw signals would inevitably alter the pure signal, therefore pushing us away from the truth. Dillard compares herself to a “man who watches the baseball game in silence in an empty stadium”. The stadium represents the world around her and the baseball game represents a visual stimulus. Dillard chooses to watch the baseball game in silence in order to narrow her focus form a series of chaotic information to one visual stimulus. This way, Dillard “see[s] the game purely”. In an empty stadium, she is free from the cheers of the audience and words from the sportscaster; both of these factors would alter her experience at the baseball game. “When [the baseball game] is all over, [she] leap[s] into [her] feet; [she] cheer[s] and cheer[s]”. Dillard cheers for the baseball game itself without being influenced by the audience or the sportscaster. This way, she “see[s] truly”.
A simple mindset would allow one to notice more. Using visual imagery, Dillard describes “the shiners...were feeding over the muddy sand in the skittery schools....one fish, then another, turned for a split second across the current and flash...the sun shot from its silver side. I couldn’t watch for it. It was always just happening somewhere else…”. Dillard tries to capture the reflection of sunlight on the fish’s scale by searching for it. Ironically, she can only see it when she does not search for it because “it drew my attention just as it disappeared”. Nature is, therefore, sudden and hidden. It only reveals itself to those looking without thinking too much.
Dillard uses sharp dictions to create a chaotic description of the scene with the fish. The fish “flash”, the sun “shot”, and it is “like a sudden dazzle of the thinnest blade, a sparking over a dun”. Words such as “shot” and “blade” are slightly violent, which reveals Dillard’s chaotic mindset at this moment. She sees too clearly. Dillard is unable to notice the reflection of the fish. However, she then turns her attention to the “white specks, some sort of pale petals, small, floating from under [her] feet...”. The dictions for the white specks contrasts with that of the fish. Dillard uses gentle diction such as “petals” and “floating” to reveal the simplicity of the scene as well as her mind. Furthermore, she writes “the pale white circles roll up, roll up, like the world’s turning, mute and perfect…”. The repetition of “roll up” also reveals her relaxing and idling mind. Dillard “blurred [her] eyes...and saw a new world”. Her simplicity allows her to notice the white specks that she could not see before. Dillard conveys that there is always a new world opened for those who seek to notice.
Dillard uses similar adjectives to illustrate the fish and the white specks, but achieves different effects in both cases. “Blade”, “shot”, and “flash” are lightening words associated with the fish, and they are used negatively to portray Dillard’s inability to see. “Gleaming silver” and “flash” are both lightening words associated with the white specks but they are used positively to portray Dillard’s admiration for the creek; they are “like stars being born at random down a rolling scroll of time”.
When Dillard sees the white specks, “something broke and something opened”. The first “something” represents her tie to illusional reality. When it “broke”, “something opened” and she sees a new universe. Dillard compares the white specks to the universe that she lives in as she describes it as “stars being born…” and “like the world’s turning…”. She suggests that one can almost see another universe if one looks closely. “[Dillard] filled up like a new wineskin” because she is fulfilled with her new sight. Once she sees truly, “[she] breathed an air like light; [she] saw a light like water”. These similes comparing air with light and light with water demonstrates her simple observations. These similes also provide a visual imagery of faint light in front of her and its reflection on the river, which creates a relaxing mood for the passage. Moreover, “[she] was ether, the leaf in the zephyr; [she] was flesh-flake, feather, bone.” This sentence also describes her experience with the white specks. The relaxing mood is further amplified through the consonance of “f” sounds in “ether...zephyr...flesh-flake, feather”. Dillard emphasizes the effect of simple noticing.
Dillard’s attachment to Tinker Creek could be explained with the creek’s diversity, which gives her an unlimited point of view. “[She] was the lip of a fountain the creek filled forever.” The fountain is a symbol for Dillard herself. The lip of the fountain represents Dillard’s mind. Tinker Creek constantly supplies a sense of wonderment to Dillard. The admiration that Dillard has for every little object fills her life and becomes a part of her. A fountain cannot be considered complete without water. Similarly, Dillard depends on Tinker Creek as a source of happiness.
Tinker Creek is full of gifts that can only be noticed by being simply attentive. A mind preoccupied with wanders would inevitably miss the present moment. To focus her mind, Dillard narrows her intake of stimuli. Nature is chaotic in that it is full of various stimuli. One would miss all if one tries to receive all at once. Dillard encourages readers to focus on one material at a time in order to notice the gifts of nature. Dillard’s amazement with every simple detail demonstrates the value of simplicity in a chaotic universe.