Born in Concord, Massachusetts, he was a philosopher, naturalist, abolitionist, and poet. He came from a humble family with two older siblings named Helen and John Jar, as well as a younger sister named Sophia. During his time at Harvard College from 1833 to 1837, he focused on studying philosophy, mathematics, and science. However, he did not find satisfaction in the typical career paths for college graduates. As a result, he and his brother John made the decision to become teachers in Canton, Massachusetts.
After graduating, he met Ralph Wald Emerson and decided to go into the woods. He wanted a place where he could write without any interruptions. He famously quoted, “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.” Essentially, he wanted to make the most out of each day by escaping his ordinary life in Massachusetts, especially since the economy favored his decision.
Ralph Wald Emerson influenced Thoreau due to their shared beliefs and mutual occupation as poets and writers. This can be observed in Emerson’s essay titled “Self Reliance” and Thoreau’s essay titled “Resistance to Civil Government”, wherein they both discuss the necessary societal changes. In today’s context, our cell phones have become a prime example of excessive luxuries. These devices encompass our lives and can even be perceived as controlling us. Personally, my computer is the primary luxury that I cannot go without. It is an indispensable tool that I rely on daily, emphasizing its significance in my life. Nonetheless, living without such conveniences does have its advantages, primarily regarding cost as computers are not cheap.
Also, it could be a social thing as well as the excuse that you need to do better things with your life than bury yourself in front of a computer screen. The wilderness served as an escape for Thoreau where he could see life from a different perspective and write without any distractions. Lowell confesses that he may not be as original and wild as he appears. In 1840, Sir Rowland Hill introduced the first postage stamp, which depicted Queen Victoria and had a value of 1 penny. Subsequently, in 1841, the first Afghan war commenced.
In 1843, the Oregon Trail saw its first wagon trail led by John Biddable. The same year also witnessed Samuel Morse’s invention of the electromagnetic telegraph, a communication method utilizing dots, dashes, and spaces to send messages. Furthermore, in 1848, the California gold rush started and attracted around half a million people to California. Additionally, I believe Thoreau used this technique because his way of speaking differed significantly from contemporary language, which could potentially confuse readers. By incorporating more modern text into his writing, he likely intended to regain their attention and offer a clearer reading experience.
In terms of economy, the author uses a simile to highlight the significance of taking care of oneself and discouraging excessive work. Thoreau often employs symbolism to depict ordinary individuals, whom he compares to machines. He argues that people have veered away from a more genuine way of life by adopting a mindset that prioritizes productivity above everything else. Furthermore, the sentence suggests that there is further information to consider, but the given example indicates that the result could vary from negative to extremely negative.
Thoreau believes that the reason he uses these tactics is because they have a greater impact on the reader and make his point more credible. He also does it out of fear of change. The clothes can symbolize various things such as the government, inventions, and styles. His intention was to demonstrate to the reader how much he only spent on necessities rather than luxuries. Additionally, he wanted to convey that minimal spending on essentials like shelter, clothing, food, and water is all one truly needs. Thoreau considers clothing, shelter, and some modern materials necessary but not fashion or transportation. In my opinion, Thoreau’s best definition of economy would be efficient management and frugality in spending money and materials. The reason this sentence is so long is because he wants the reader to comprehend why he chose to live in the woods. In light of the industrial revolution, there are numerous factors contributing to simplicity and Thoreau desires for people to slow down and appreciate life. One example he presents is railroads and how he perceives them as too fast-paced for a fulfilling life.
The author compares the individuals in the “sleeper” cars to the workers in those cars and criticizes their lack of awareness of their surroundings. Assuming he was a simple person, it seems he wanted people to live without debt or owing money. This can be applied to saving money and only spending on necessities rather than expensive clothing, phones, and other unnecessary items. Additionally, he questions the newspaper and argues against allowing others to choose our reading material. I personally question the value of social networking as it seems to control most people’s lives. Furthermore, the major social networking sites are now more focused on making money rather than just networking socially.
In his reading, Thoreau argues that if people were more careful in choosing their activities, they would naturally become students and observers. He compares this mindset to that of ancient philosophers. The distinction between the two lies in their different meanings and tones. The mother voice represents unconsciously learned things and written language, while the father tongue must be learned through maturity. This distinction is important because it allows readers to visualize and highlights the significance of the words. Thoreau’s main point seems to be that people don’t learn to read solely to acquire the skill, but rather for convenience and protection against deception. In regards to solitude, it can be interpreted either positively or negatively depending on the reason for being alone. Thoreau believes he was alone for a good reason.
The text indicates that engaging in enjoyable activities throughout the day can make every moment pleasant and prevent boredom. The author also suggests that being alone can reduce feelings of loneliness, as individuals in a group may not have shared interests or concerns. Thoreau expresses a preference for solitude and asserts that he never feels lonely when he is in harmony with nature. Moreover, Thoreau transitions from advocating for increased communication among people to suggesting that no communication should occur between them.
In his writings, Thoreau ponders whether humans are also a part of nature. I agree with this notion as we, like the leaves on a tree, are living beings. He goes on to explain our similarities with everything else in the world. Thoreau extensively explores the concept of solitude and its pros and cons, but ultimately, I believe he finds joy in being alone. When it comes to visitors, he observes that our attention is often fixated on one person when we’re surrounded by many individuals – either because we know them or find them interesting – causing us to overlook others present. This can be seen as a metaphor where thoughts or ideas swiftly pass from one person to another like bullets. This metaphor effectively encourages readers to visualize such scenarios in their minds. Certain words such as “animal man,” “slumbering,” “reading,” “Greek,” and “appreciation” stand out, highlighting Thoreau’s fondness for reading and connecting with nature. Thoreau’s companion introduces him to Homer’s book but lacks a true understanding of its deeper meaning. To create more dramatic impact in his sentences, Thoreau employs dashes repeatedly.
The reader is drawn in by the dramatic effect, enhancing the story. Although he enjoys solitude and values his writing time by the pond, he may not agree. Perhaps he wanted to witness the wonders of nature and was fascinated by the transformations that spring brought. His tone reflects a sense of disgust towards the appearance of spring and the reemergence of growth. Key words such as “Bowel” and “circumspections” underscore his perspective. For instance, Thoreau’s statement, “Thaw with his gentle persuasion is more powerful than Thro with his hammer,” serves as an illustrative example.
This passage employs an allusion to effectively communicate the author’s point by presenting a relatable example. Ultimately, the chapter exposes that the author carried out their work at Walden Pond, and it remains ambiguous whether their experiment was fruitful or futile. From my standpoint, the topic delves into something of higher intricacy and profundity than what we initially comprehend. Frequently, we have a tendency to presume that our understanding on a subject is exhaustive, only to realize there is still a great deal left for us to uncover.
The author discusses the different paths available, noting that he himself chose a different one with significant impact. It is surprising to find that nature, despite its size and strength, can also be sensitive and prone to change. The use of terms like “dawn,” “sun,” “morning,” and “star” in this quote contributes to its optimistic tone. Additionally, the author organizes his chapters based on seasons and sensory settings. In Civil Disobedience, metaphors are used to highlight how men are controlled and unable to focus on their desired goals, ultimately emphasizing their similarities. By italicizing certain words, the author indirectly conveys a different meaning, allowing readers to interpret or imagine what might have been included. The author suggests that although some individuals may disagree with government decisions, they choose silence instead and let laws pass unnoticed.
This action of increasing the government’s authority through instilling fear in individuals deters them from speaking out against the government, ultimately highlighting the significance of both the government and politicians. Thoreau’s perspective on their functioning is also emphasized. As a result, voting goes beyond simply depositing a ballot in a box, as its impact holds greater importance than initially perceived. In certain cases, voters may participate without personal investment or knowledge due to feeling compelled to do so.
Thoreau’s incarceration occurred when he refused to pay taxes to the local tax collector, resulting in spending one night in jail. Eventually, someone else paid the tax fees which led to his release. This experience had a profound influence on Thoreau. Personally, I agree with his decision to go to jail as obedience to the law is crucial regardless of one’s opinion on its fairness.
