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NOVELS: Walden |
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Walden is a story of the
experiences of Thoreau while he was living in near
solitude, in a log cabin at Walden Pond. Although
Thoreau stayed there two years, the story only spans
one year. The book is a discussion of Thoreau’s
philosophy on life and society. The book begins, in
the first chapter titled Economy, by questioning
society’s way of thinking and working. He
discusses individuality, and writes about his
experiment of trying to live by the philosophies set
forth in his book. Mainly, he tries to live
independently from the government and society, using
as little money as possible. The book ends with a ten
page conclusion, where Thoreau encourages the reader
to be different, and an individual. Thoreau admits
that his experiment would not be fit for everyone,
but encourages everyone to live "simply and wisely"
(48), and to not fall into a rut in life.
Thoreau’s experiment at Walden Pond was an attempt to demonstrate that it was not necessary to have all the modern conveniences to be happy. He was out to show that one can be happier by living a simpler life. Thoreau encourages focusing on only the necessities to live. While his theories may not be suitable for society as a whole, he believes that for many it would present a way of truly living life to its fullest. Walden was written between 1845 and 1847, as a record of Thoreau’s life at Walden Pond and the insights he had while there. He writes from the position of an outsider, not fitting in with the community. The book is written as a social criticism, raising points and ideas that lead to discontentment, and serve to provoke new ways of thought and living for a few, which is his purpose. Walden’s theme in general is an emphasis on individuality. Thoreau believed that society was wiping out the uniqueness of individuals in a community. In order for mankind to go forward, Thoreau suggests that, for some, a return to the basics of life is necessary. For Thoreau, money was a symbol for superficiality, and he thought that learning to live without was the path to meaningful living. |