[Amanda Hassan]

In “Conclusion” the reader learns that Thoreau was searching for himself at Walden Pond. During his time away from civilization he got to know and understand his true self. From being isolated, Thoreau was left with only nature and his own thoughts. At Walden Pond he was able to establish his morals and who he’d like to be as a person. By withdrawing himself from society he discover who he truly was as a person so that when he went back to civilization he could live the rest of his life as himself and not who society created him as. Thoreau believed that “the earth is so soft and impressible by the feet of men” (358) showing that men have a major impact on earth and often forget who they morally are as people. Thoreau also believed that “it is remarkable how easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route” (358). By Thoreau moving to Walden Pond he broke the “route” and gained knowledge of himself.

By reading Walden, Thoreau has inspired me to discover who I really am. Although I’m not going to withdraw myself from society, I will remember to take a step back every so often in order to be with my own thoughts. In order to find who I am morally, I’ll find peace and clarity through nature and listening to my own thoughts. Like Thoreau, I want to search for myself and be a better, truthful person in society.

[Amanda Hassan]

In “Brute Neighbors” Thoreau observes a battle between red and black ants. If we were to live as simply as Thoreau did, our destiny would be living like the ants he observed at war. These little ants were willing to put their lives on the line to fight for their brothers. He observed that “neither manifested the least disposition to retreat” (288) showing that they were willing to risk it all for their own kind. Thoreau also saw that “their battle-cry was to Conquer or die” (288). These ants’ dedication and willingness to fight for their own territory is much like the American Revolution.  Soldiers, much like the ants, came together to fight for their independence.

I agree with Haley’s concept that Thoreau used. The way that Thoreau “humanized” the ants made it seem more realistic that if we were to live as simply as Thoreau wanted us, we would inevitably would be living like ants.

[Amanda Hassan]

In “Higher Laws” Thoreau discusses that savoring food is a distraction from intellectual pursuits.  He believes that “there is something essentially unclean about this diet and all flesh” (276). Thoreau also points out that “a little bread or a few potatoes would have done as well, with less trouble and filth” (276) instead of eating fish. He frowned upon our animal or vicious side because people always want and savor more food than they actually need. I agree with Thoreau’s concept of food. Food is a necessity, but not when we are eating feasts every meal.

As Max stated “eating flesh in itself is primitive and automatic”, it shows how Thoreau truly looked at the human nature of eating. I agree with Max and this philosophy. Thoreau believes in the simplicity of nature and necessities, what one needs are much different than what one wants.

[Amanda Hassan]

In “The Bean Field” Thoreau discusses his beliefs of work. In “Economy” Thoreau talks about doing work in order to survive with the bare necessities. On the other hand, in “The Bean Field” Thoreau was not working for money, instead he worked and cultivated beans in order to gain experience and he received personal value by farming. He explained the seeds he planted were “the seeds of those virtues” (238). These virtues included “sincerity, truth, simplicity, faith, [and] innocence” (237). Although working in the bean fields contradicted his philosophy of work in “Economy”, Thoreau obtained virtues and experience in the bean fields which is of value in his life.

I agree with Kelcie, although Thoreau is not making a profit, working in the bean fields is of value in his life because of the experience he is gaining. I agree with how he contradicts himself in “Economy” with his philosophy in “The Bean Field”.

[Amanda Hassan]

While reading “The Ponds” Thoreau discusses his admiration for Walden Pond near his house. Thoreau, being so that he loves nature, sees the pond as a symbol of purity and beauty. Thoreau even states that “this pond is so remarkable for its depth and purity” (247). When Thoreau really examines the pond, he realizes its true beauty. Although Walden is not pure blue, Thoreau understands that Walden is “lying between the earth and the heavens, it partakes of the color of both [blue and green]” (274). Walden Pond is significant to Thoreau because of his love for nature and the simple necessities.  When looking at Walden Pond, one’s first reaction is far from beauty, but by looking beyond the surface, one realizes that Walden truly symbolizes clarity and purity.

I agree with Taylor, I found that Thoreau believed that Walden Pond was a symbol for purity. Thoreau’s love for nature and simplicity were revealed through his caring of the pond. Clearly, Walden was a significant symbol in his life.

[Amanda Hassan]

I agree with Ane’s response to “Solitude”. I enjoyed how you explained that  loneliness in who you are surrounded by, but it is how busy you feel. This really emphasizes that the feelins of solitude is more of a mental problem than it is a physical problem.

[Amanda Hassan]

In “Solitude” Thoreau explained the importance of being alone. He believed that by living out in the woods, he was not lonely for he had the “sweet and beneficent society of Nature” (213). He believed that Nature has “infinite and accountable friendliness” (213) and therefore he did not need people in his life because Nature is always true and real. Thoreau argues that it is important for people to have solitude because one is “more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers” (216). Thoreau strongly believes that people feel more alone when with others because people are very insincere, therefore when one is in touch with nature, they feel less lonely.

[Amanda Hassan]

In “Sounds” Thoreau gives human characteristics to the singing animals around his house. He described the animals’ music as though he was being serenaded. He says the birds are “low spirits and melancholy forebodings” and their singing was the “dark and tearful side of music” (208). He described other animals’ sounds similarly as he would to human sounds. It’s almost as if the animals have replaced humans in his life in order for him to not become lonely. Finally, Thoreau states that a “different race of creatures awakes to express the meaning of Nature there” (209). Clearly this shows that nature plays a huge role and has a big effect on Thoreau’s life.

[Amanda Hassan]

Throughout “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For” Thoreau discusses how Americans would rather rely on materialism than spiritual reality. Thoreau explains that people believe it is “essential that the Nation have commerce, and export ice, and talk through a telegraph, and ride thirty miles an hour” (182). In “Economy” these “essentials” do not match the “necessaries” Thoreau described in order to live. Today, one sees that people care less about nature and the bare necessities and more about the accessories in life. People would rather have technology than reach spiritual reality.

[Amanda Hassan]

In “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For” Thoreau describes how he almost bought the Hollowell Farm. Although others may think the house is “not likely to soon be improved” and “too far away from the village”(174), Thoreau saw his future there. He “saw how I [he] could let the years run off” (174) showing how much he liked the Hollowell Farm. Though people thought the farm was in an inconvenient location, Thoreau enjoyed the isolation the farm had from the rest of the village as well as how close it was to nature.

In response to Julia, I agree that Thoreau enjoys the wilderness and seclusion. As we read “Solitude” we learn that Thoreau believes that nature is more friendly than people because people tend to be more superficial showing how Thoreau truly likes living in a rural area.

[Amanda Hassan]

While reading “Economy”, Thoreau states that the necessities of life are “Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel” (120). Thoreau also explain that the major necessity “for our bodies, is to keep warm, to keep the vital heat in us” (121). Anything else in life is considered a luxury and is not needed to survive. Food, is very understandable because one cannot survive without eating and drinking. Fuel, which means energy to stay alive is also seen as a necessity. In addition, shelter and clothing are needed because it keeps one perfectly warm and protected from the dangers outside.  When one finally obtains these “necessaries” they are “prepared to entertain the true problems of life with freedom and prospect of success” (120).

I agree with Shelby’s point about truly needing clothing. Clothing is not always a necessity needed unless one is outside and needs protection from the wilderness. Other than that, shelter takes the place of clothing because shelter can keep one warm, alive, and protected when one is inside.

[Author]

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