Muirfs Essay Gthe Hetch Hetchy Valley example essay topic

John Muir and Marsden Manson are examples of argument essays. Muirfs essay gThe Hetch-Hetchy Valley is about the preservation of a natural valley near Yosemite. Mansonfs essay gA statement of San Francisco fs Side of the Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir matter is a direct response to Muirfs argument. Muir, a leading advocate of the wilderness as well as founder of the Sierra Club, which is an organization, dedicated to wilderness preservation.

Marsden who is a strong conservationist as well as an engineer for the city of San Francisco is in favor of the building of the reservoir for the production of water and energy, which will be supplied for the people of San Francisco. Manson is in favor of the building of the reservoir for the better of man. His essay was written and published after Muirfs in which he picks apart and argues Muirfs major points. In Muirfs article it is obvious that he loves nature and that Hetch-Hetchy Valley is one of his favorite places to go.

He believes that the valley should not be destroyed and his plea for the preservation of the valley is argued in three claims. First he describes how the city has other resources of water that could be used instead of flooding the valley. Muir argues that the city has many other resources of water such as Lake Eleanor, and he clams that Hetch-Hetchyfs water is not as pure and unpolluted as people of in favor of building the dam claim it to be. Muir says that due to the due to the sewage draining up stream from the campgrounds the water is not suitable for drinking.

Therefore there is no need to build the reservoir since its water will not be used for drinking. Secondly Muir talks about how all of the campers that visit the valley will no longer have a place to come to anymore. He says the main campground areas are in the lower valley area will no longer exists due to the flooding caused by the dam. Lastly Muir main a point in his plea for the preservation of the Hetch-Hetchy Valley is presented through his vivid describes and detail of the beauty of the valley.

Muir says gI have always called it the Tuolumne Yosemite, for it is a wonderfully exact counterpart of the great Yosemite, not only in its crystal river and sublime rocks and waterfalls, but in the gardens, groves, and meadows of its flowery park-like-floor. h Muir goes on to describe the rich landscapes and all of its beautiful parts of the valley that would be destroyed if the valley were flooded. Mansonfs essay is a contrast to Muirfs. In his paper he picks apart Muirfs central claims to present his case. First Manson assures that the scenic beauty will not be destroyed, in fact he claims that the reservoir will make the valley more beautiful because the rock walls will be reflected in the waters, just like so many of the lakes in the Sierras. Next Mansonfs argues about how the reservior will not make the area totally inaccessible to the public.

He claims that the only portion of the valley that will no longer be accessible to the public is the portion that is only open about three months a year. Lastly Manson argues Muirfs claim that there are many other sources for San Francisco to get its water from. Manson writes that the proposed other sources would be uneconomical to receive water from these sources. He says this for two reasons, one that the water would have to be pumped to the higher parts of the city and secondly it would cost the city millions of dollars to do this. Therefore the cost of water would go up for everyone. In Mansonfs essay as well as Muirfs they make their cases by stating facts then giving examples to support their side of the issue.

Both authors do this in there own unique tone, word choice, and statement of emotion which all contribute to who they are as a person and how there arguments are formed. In their essays Muir and Manson shows the readers their learnedness and presents themselves as a reliable and trustworthy writers. In Muirfs essay he uses very descriptive and poetic words when referring to Hetch-Hetchy Valley gthe walls of both are gray granite, rise abruptly out of the flowery grass and groves, are sculptured in the same style, and in both every rock is a glacial monument. h Muirfs poetic descriptions paint a picture for the reader about his spiritual and emotional feeling for the Valley. As well, Muir includes his feelings when he states that anyone would try to destroy such a place seemed impossible, but sad experience shows that there are people good enough and bad enough for anything. h In reading this it clearly builds Muirfs ethos as a very passionate person and his anger and frustration are set forth in the tone of his argument.