Thoreau’s Masterpiece
Tags: Naturalism, Thoreau, Transcendentalism, Walden, Conservation

Shaping America Overtime

Illustrated by Henry David Thoreau

Introduction

Society impairs judgments through the many material possessions and basic assumptions of how people live their daily lives. The only way to have a clear mind is to be with the divine root of nature. That is precisely what Henry David Thoreau did for just a little over two years in one of the most influential books of all time called Walden: Or Life in the Woods. Simple-living and self-reliance inspired by transcendentalism has led a path for environmentalists and modern conservationists to explore new, inspiring, and influential ideas that have shaped America.

Henry David Thoreau

About the Author

Henry David Thoreau, the author of Walden, was born on July 12th, 1817, in Concord, MA. Thoreau was a naturalist and a transcendentalist who wanted to explore self-sufficiency, individuality, and simple living. Thoreau, a bright young man, graduated from Harvard studying Greek and Latin. He went to work with his father at the pencil factory shortly after graduating in 1837 because of his brother’s illness. Thoreau had excellent relations with the people around him, especially his mother and his friend Ralph Emerson. Emerson taught Thoreau the values of transcendentalism, which valued spirituality over physical possessions. Thoreau spent a little more than two years on Walden pond in Massachusetts that was owned by Emerson. Thoreau was also an abolitionist his whole life, fighting for what is right. He went to jail for fighting for what he thought was right while on the pond. He was thrown in jail because he stopped paying taxes in protest of slavery and the Mexican-American War. Thoreau wrote a book called Civil Disobedience because he was thrown in jail. His life at Walden inspired him to create more and more books regarding naturalism, environmentalism, and transcendentalism.

Map of Walden Pond

About the Book

Walden: Or Life in the Woods is one of his best works. Thoreau writes the book regarding his experiences at the pond from 1845 through 1847, however, the book is not published until 1854. The series of 18 essays takes place in Concord, MA, where Thoreau lives isolated on Walden pond not closer than one mile to anybody. Thoreau’s writing style is surrounded by his influence of transcendentalism. His philosophy encouraged his writing to be reflective, thinking about the simple daily tasks of living in isolation. His writing is deep and meaningful with a free attitude regarding traditions and authoritarian figures. Thoreau’s key idea resides on self-reliance; he builds himself his own cabin, which is 10 by 15 foot and grows his own food, including beans, potatoes, peas, and corn. Whatever Thoreau cannot build, grow, catch, etc., he will work for doing various jobs. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life.” (Thoreau, 1854) Thoreau’s intention was to be self-sufficient. Thoreau only deals with what is right in front of him, resulting to find him faced with a pen and pencil. Walden: Or Life in the Woods has a background of individuality. “I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” (Thoreau, 1854). Thoreau’s key ideas are clearly expressed in the book; he spends much of his time in leisure, contemplating everything which completed his goal of individuality and self-sufficiency.

Replica of Thoreau’s cabin

Legacy

Thoreau’s writing was not very popular at the time only selling 2,000 books in the first 5 years. Walden, the most influential writing that shaped the world finally caught attraction in the late 19th century. The book is inspiring because it shows us that there is peace in a state of war. Thoreau connects to many modern conservationists when he explains that all we need is a simplistic lifestyle with nature which is where his transcendentalist philosophy shines. “We need the tonic of wildness.” (Thoreau, 1854). Thoreau recommends that to be happy and have solitude it is important to be spiritually connected to nature. Thoreau’s ideology connects with many environmentalists especially in the late 1800s when logging companies depleted animals’ natural habitats. “John Muir founded the Sierra Club, a prominent environmental advocacy organization. His leadership had its own inspiration, too; on his mantel Muir kept two portraits: one of Emerson and one of Thoreau.” (Thoreau’s Legacy). Environmentalists around the globe have been influenced by the works of Thoreau. Backed by more and environmentalists Walden is one of the most influential books that shaped America “Today Thoreau is considered among the greatest of all-American writers and the intellectual inspiration for the conservation movement. His long-lasting influence cannot be fully expressed.” (Thoreau’s Legacy). Although it took some time for Walden to catch popularity; it influenced people from all parts of the globe, not just environmentalists or conservationists. His work Cleary demonstrates the importance of the divine root of nature. “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” (Thoreau, 1854). In the quote, Thoreau’s transcendentalist thinking is clearly expressed by allowing yourself to be spiritually connected. His reflective thinking about the simplicity of nature inspires many conservationists to protect the environment.

Works Cited

Thoreau, Henry David. Walden: Or Life in the Woods. Generic NL Freebook Publisher. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1086215&site=ehost-live. Accessed 1 Dec. 2020.

“Thoreau’s Legacy.” The Walden Woods Project, www.walden.org/education/for-students/thoreaus-legacy/.