Learning to live and succeed by himself without influences from people was his goal. He believed in the importance of oneself and the government took that away. Henry David Thoreau, an American poet and novelist used his life experiences and thoughts to emphasize nature,
The condition of the operatives is becoming every day more like that of the English; and it cannot be wondered at, since, as far as I have heard or observed, the principal object is, not that mankind may be well and honestly clad, but, unquestionably, that corporations may be enriched¨ (Walden, 13). Moreover, Thoreau believes factory produced goods and the overall use of technology disassociate people with the connection of producing goods and doing work. Thoreau was a transcendentalist thus possessing the beliefs of transcendentalism. He wanted to maintain a spiritual life connected to nature. He believed an individual could find the divine directly through a connection to nature and a man must become a part of nature to truly find the divine.
Consequently, what Thoreau proposed was simplicity rejecting modern civilization to return to nature and let the individual to develop his/her highest possibilities. Thoreau not only made a critique of the modern society as Emerson did, but also he practiced his ideology: he experienced that life is better without crowd, luxuries and complexity. The transcendentalist poet spent two year close to nature. He lived at Walden Pond where he wrote entire journals recounting his experience. Thoreau is well known for his book “Walden” (1854).
Explain. The French- Canadian woodsman further illustrate Thoreau 's opinion of intellectualism and spiritualism because he embodies the average man. Thoreau believes the average man is one who works diligently to ensure the success of his business and to support a lavish lifestyle, full of futile posessions. A man then becomes enslaves to his posessions and work hindering their ability to become spiritualy awaken and utilize their intellect. The French- Canadian woodsman affirms Thoreaus belief as he is uneducated and finds it diffult to grow spirituly.
Thoroughly Reading Thoreau (An Analysis on the works of Henry David Thoreau) There are many classic writers that have come out of America. Many have made large impacts on the world and have truly changed the way literature is read. Inside there works, there are hidden meanings and messages written between the lines that readers are able to pull apart and study daily.Henry David Thoreau is an American writer whose works are studied daily in English classes and in other settings. He taught people that it’s okay to look at the world with a different perspective than other people. Thoreau once stated, “This world is but a canvas to our imagination” (Thoreau).
The majority of Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, is about the idea of opting out of society. In the chapter “Solitude” Thoreau describes how “[his] horizon bounded by woods all to [himself]” is beautiful and solely his. As he is enjoying nature Thoreau states, “There can be no very black melancholy to him who lives in the midst of Nature” (111). This theme of being alone and appreciating nature carries throughout the entirety of the book, all leading to the fact that Thoreau believes the best way to live would be without society. Thoreau can not stand to pay his taxes because, “[he] did not pay a tax to, or recognize the authority of, the state which buys and sells men, women, and children” (145), leading to him being thrown in jail.
“Men have become the tools of their tools.” -Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau displayed his disapproval and rejection for the ideas of the industrial revolution through his essays by stating that nature was lost by the usage of technology and the industrial revolution caused humans to lose their self identity; this led Thoreau to believe that people had to go back to nature for purification. During Thoreau’s lifetime, he saw many technological advancements, which he believed to be detrimental towards nature. In one of his essays called Walking, Thoreau expands on how and people began lose their self identity and their old lifestyles which had given them their identity. In another essay called Wild Apples Thoreau establishes the idea
For two years, he lives in the woods of Walden Pond, experiencing what life is beyond society. He believes that society is controlled and unfulfilling, as it sucks away a person’s potential to live his or her own life. In order to attain a better life, people work tirelessly for a dream so far out of reach, which defines conformity. Thoreau does not follow such a distasteful lifestyle, which proves his dissatisfaction for society and his will to resist the routine lifestyle. Instead, he is devoted to his own morals and is not easily persuaded by society’s temptations, such as the luxurious items advertised in poster boards during his visit to town.
Benjamin franklin and Henry David Thoreau have distinct dissimilar beliefs on freedom and institutions, but after analyzing both authors throughly it seems as though they may have similarities as well. Franklin is a eighteenth century author who contributes money to institutions, in order, to mold humans to live a more pragmatic and regimented life; however, Thoreau is a romantic author who believes that people should search for their inner passions and not live beyond their means in order of finding ones soul. These credible authors ultimately have the concordant motives; however their approach to eliminating errata’s are drastically dissimilar. Although both authors are shaping models for the American identity in different ways, ultimately
Thoreau’s purpose is to live a simple life. He doesn't want to live the fast life, he wants to see every detail there is and obtain everything life offers. Thoreau wanted to die knowing he lived what life was meant to be. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” This is an antithesis because Thoreau supports his decision on going into to the woods by saying if he didn't, he would regret it. Thoreau states, “I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary.” Thoreau is contrasting his purpose with his resignation.