How does the author use juxtaposition in the novel, One of Ours?

Cather’s novel consistently juxtaposes the wisdom of nature with the folly of man, drawing attention to the needless destruction and hardship man brings upon himself. In Frankfort, Claude is surrounded by the beauty of nature, and admires the way nature possess “a feeling of infinity… a quiet purpose… hurrying toward a definite end” (46). This “definite end” of nature is the very thing Claude seeks for himself. In effect, Cather implies that nature possesses an innate wisdom man does not: nature has a purpose unto itself, whereas man (in this case, Claude) must seek out his purpose at his own peril. And indeed, Claude’s first attempt at finding a purpose for his life is a failure, for he “tie[s] himself up with compromises” by marrying Enid (96).