The comparison between the strength of nature and that of man-made objects is made all the time. Many things built in our time are based off of the complexities of similar structures found in nature and we try to use stronger materials to improve upon their functionality. As a result, humans believe that the structures we create are superior to the “lesser” things in nature.
Edward Thomas uses a two stanza poem to reflect on the simple beauty of nature and the way that it will last past the man made objects of our creation. Tall Nettles effectively compares the unseemly weeds to be stronger than stone and just as beautiful as the flowers that bloom alongside. The poem begins with a strong title, Tall Nettles. The positive connotation associated with tall brings me to the assumption that Thomas thinks highly of the nettles even though they are poisonous weeds. The height of the letters in tall and nettles represents the power held by nature within the piece. On the other hand, the man made objects like the harrow, plough and roller are described as being covered up and rusty in lines 1-2. It indicates how the nettles, which signify nature, are more powerful than the man made objects. The speaker is far more fond of the mere weeds than the tools meant to remove them.

When thinking of an elm, one thinks of strength; resistance. Thomas ends the first stanza in line 4 by describing how only the elm butt is taller than the nettles. Only the wisdom of the elm is able to top the nettles in this farmyard and it keeps the theme of nature as the champion.
This is an important comparison because it shows the balance that nature provides. Elms are seen as providing foundation to great forests around the world and the mention of this tree proves the

point of nature withstanding the test of time long past that of simple harrows, ploughs and
rollers.