Henry David Thoreau’s Time Spent at Walden
Henry David Thoreau, in 1845, wanted to delve deeper into the meaning of life and focus on his writing. To do this, he retreated to a remote location: a humble cottage nestled in a forest, called Walden Pond. During this time, he evaluated himself, others, and society. In his book, Walden, he discusses some important aspects of human nature, and what people should strive for in their life. He learned the importance of conscious living, in which one makes enlightened, well thought out decisions. These kinds of decisions would be easier to make if one embraced simplicity. People’s lives are overly-complicated due to too many engagements and a surplus of material things. He learned at Walden Pond that living with the bare minimum results in a clearer head. Thoreau’s time spent at Walden Pond proved to be valuable in many ways. It taught the importance of intentional living and living simply.
In the chapter “Where I lived, and What I Lived for”, Thoreau focuses on a variety of themes. One of the main ones, though, is the idea of intentional living. “I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor” (Thoreau 490). In this quote, Thoreau exhibits optimism about human nature. He is acknowledging the ability of a person to, thorough good deeds, improve their life. Thoreau stresses, though, that this must be done mindfully, meaning people must be in touch with themselves. Thoreau had many purposes for retreating to Walden Pond, one of them being that he wanted to free himself from the influence of others, so he could gain greater knowledge of himself. At the Pond, he concluded that when one makes thoughtful decisions free of external forces, good things usually come. He recognizes that mankind can undoubtedly do this, but must live with intention. Though Thoreau believed this should be done by spiritually, in modern-day context, it could mean simply paying close attention to oneself and one’s life. When a person does that, they will be more aware and do the right thing, thus bettering themself. Conscious living, which Thoreau practices extensively at Walden, should be applied by everyone. He also states it is easier to live this way when one’s life is not cluttered with excess stuff.
The significance of simplicity is a reoccurring idea in Thoreau’s Walden. In trying to prove its importance, he writes, “Our life is like a German Confederacy, made up of petty states, with its boundary forever fluctuating, so that even a German cannot tell you how it is bounded at any moment” (Thoreau 491). At the time of Thoreau’s Walden, the German Confederacy was constantly in flux, with its borders unclear. In this simile, he is comparing people’s lives to that. The Confederacy, in the mid 19th century, was divided up into 39 states. Thoreau believed that people’s lives, like the Confederacy, are too complex. Over ambition causes people to take on too many tasks. Frazzled and overworked, they become disconnected and divided within themselves. In the remote woods, his concerns were few. He walked, cooked, and wrote. Living at Walden, Thoreau realized that clarity comes with living an uncomplicated life. In his book, Walden, he wasn’t really suggesting that everyone should live in the woods. He was simply encouraging people to free themselves from unimportant distractions. This is especially relevant in this day and age, when society is attached to technology like never before. Today, the application of his ideas formed at Walden Pond could prove beneficial. Limiting commitments and use of technology would allow people to be more in touch with themselves.
Walden Pond offers insight into the nature of mankind: Thoreau assesses the value of living simply and consciously. Therefore, the two years he spent there was worthwhile. His ideas discovered at Walden Pond applied to people back then, and definitely pertains to today as well. More than ever, society is obsessed with stimulation. Whether acquired from material things such as phones and computers or an overflowing schedule, it causes stress. Limiting these in one’s life would result in a more calm and balanced being, which would lead to better choices. All around, Henry David Thoreau’s Walden gives information for people on how to improve their way of life.
Excellent post Rachel. Good use of quotes to support your ideas and you have nice media (Even out of place it's good) to support your writing.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the work in class. You have been a rockstar!