During the romantic period, writers wrote on nature, human nature, and the past. Towards the end on the Romantic period writers turned to transcendentalism. Writers during this time showed individualism in their own way. Henry David Thoreau was a harvard graduate that was inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson's “Nature”. After this inspiration Thoreau went against all the paths people believed he would go and spent two years at Walden pond. Thoreau while at walden pond determined that nature gives and answers no question, and we all have more lives to live.
During Thoreau’s time at Walden pond he observed all that was around him. In the winter months Thoreau watch the fishermen catch small fish in order to catch the larger fish. He also observed
At this point in the narrative he tells readers about an experience he had while observing a woodchuck in the woods while on a walk. He then tells in detail how he wanted to eat this woodchuck in a brutal way. This thought process he was having while observing this animal brought him a better understanding that human beings still have a wild instinct inside of themselves. Which he respected the idea and acknowledged that these instincts still occurred within himself. This experience supported Thoreau belief that hunting/obtaining knowledge on nature was important at an early age.
On page 410, he states, “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.” When Thoreau made the decision to explore the woods by Walden Pond, he was reducing his dependence on property, just as
Kaitlyn Rodriguez Mr. Cedeño U.S. History F Block 12/7/14 Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau was an america author and naturalist and is considered to be one of the most influential figures in American history and literature.
All good people in a modernized, functional world would deserve justice. Yet, despite this fundamental, governments worldwide have shut down amazing fights and causes with legislation designed to oppress. History is running over with hard times, cruel fights, and devastating wars over this argument, so why is it seemingly impossible to implement a system in our worlds that would let strong fights for fairness stand a chance? At their own times and by their own methods, Henry Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. asked this same question. Both parties agree that equity is an imperative quality in a working society, and brilliantly took to their opposers to push that it was the people’s responsibility to act against cruelty in government.
Thoreau also had a strong appreciation for nature. When Thoreau went into the wild, he had many supplies and was equipped for his journey. Walden Pond was a quiet place for Henry to work. He also wanted to enjoy a simple life that the woods offered. Thoreau had many visitors while he was at Walden Pond (“Thoreau’s First Year”).
Henry David Thoreau There are many influential people in the world that have a positive impact. For example, social media influencers, writers and teachers can change an individual's life . .However, in the past,Henry David Thoreau influenced people as a transcendentalist and abolitionist. Henry david thoreau is influential because of his actionable writings , beliefs, and accomplishments. Thoreau was an influential philosopher because of his writings on nature and societal problems.
Have you ever been in a situation where you were stuck in between what is morally acceptable and what is legally correct? Henry David Thoreau is a timeless symbol of an individualist who peacefully does what he thinks is right even if the laws state otherwise. Thoreau teaches and wants his readers to act on what is morally correct, take responsibility for an action, and to resist unjust laws. Thoreau was a man of morals, typically doing what he thought was right rather than obeying the laws.
Henry David Thoreau was an extremely important person back in his day because of how he viewed the world and government. His views have helped the 21st century reader understand a few problems happening today with our government, while also giving them a way to solve those problems. Thoreau believed in people doing what was morally right to them, while not always following what the government or society believes and does. This is part of a person’s freedom as long as we try to minimize others sufferings by doing what we believe in.
The reason why Thoreau wrote this section of the Civil Disobedience is because Thoreau believes that a person must stand on what they think is right. Example is when Thoreau states that the only obligation that he has is to do at any time what he thinks is right also saying that he thinks that a person must be a man first then become a subject. But the most important thing that Thoreau did to support his ideas was to protest the Mexican American war by not paying his taxes. He did what he thought was right he stood by his word. His protest didn't stop the war but it had more of a symbolistic impact.
After Thoreau’s graduation from Harvard College, David Henry Thoreau changed his name to Henry David Thoreau. The young man returned to his hometown of Concord, Massachusetts. In the year of 1837, America was in the midst of an economic depression. Many people did not have a job and the people with a job were scared of losing it. Being a Harvard graduate, as Thoreau was, opening the door to many opportunities and vast job titles.
“The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right” This is a quote from Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience”, he being a Transcendentalist held true to his belief; one being all humans are born with the unchallengeable moral truth within, and did not need outside influences to make the right decision pertaining to the business of life. I feel the quote hold true meaning to one’s inner thought; that they are only obligated to be true to themselves morally and in turn based on their perception to do the right thing concerning to any giving situation. With the concept of Civil Disobedience, I should not be made to follow a law or form of government, which is not for the people and in principle morally
Thus he escaped to Walden Forest, where he would live the resources. But in a normal journey through Walden, he encounters a humble village, where he wreaks havoc, expressing his philosophies while trying to convert the villagers. In a journal entry written afterwards Thoreau writes, “I might have run “amok” against
Resistance to Civil Government (Civil Disobedience) is a dissertation written by American abolitionist, author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau published by Elizabeth Peabody in the Aesthetic Papers in 1849. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was born and lived almost his life in Concord, Massachusetts. After finishing public and private school in Concord he attended the prestige Harvard University. He excelled at Harvard despite leaving school for several months due to health and financial setbacks. Mr. Thoreau graduated in the top half of his class in 1837.
Thoreau eagerly waits for this season to come to Walden as this was one of the "attractions in coming to the woods to live as that he should have leisure and opportunity to see the spring come" (Thoreau 952). In Spring, Thoreau realizes that all the other ponds are defrosting; however, not the pond in Walden. He waits for the pond to defrost to see all the diverse animal species that come there. For him, it could be easy to get mad at mother nature because the pond in Walden is taking longer to defrost. Instead, he appreciates every moment since "nature has some bowels, and there again is the mother of humanity" (Thoreau 956).
Individuals lay the foundation of America. The Founding Fathers of this unique nation broke their allegiance with Great Britain to create an improved governing body. They desired an individual-centered authority as opposed to Britain’s monarchy, which ruled with tyranny. These Founding Fathers experienced a neglectful democratic monarchy that cared little about the ethical treatment of its people. The domineering actions of Britain challenged these historic individuals to form a new cultural identity.