Why is the River No Longer Majestic?

Samuel Clemens', "Two Ways of Viewing the River,"(1883), is his realization of how his view of the "majestic Mississippi River", changed while working as a riverboat pilot. In the beginning, Samuel embraced all the beauty of the Mississippi. The smallest, most simple features of the river projected beauty in his eyes. He marveled at how the colors of the sunset danced across it and transformed the river into a picturesque work of art. Samuel had a profound appreciation for this awesome new experience. Navigating along one of nature's most breathtaking hallmarks was an immense pleasure for him.

Time changed his view of the river. As he traveled it more, he began to lose his appreciation for the Mississippi's majesty. He began to see it as mundane. Working on the river robbed him of his love and passion for its beauty. Instead of seeing the features of the river in a positive light, he began to view them negatively, becoming seemingly annoyed by their existence. So, he his left wondering, if this is the way time, and our practice of professions effects our perception of beauty.