[Emma “Acai” Radeka]

In “Conclusion,” we learn about the results of Thoreau’s time at the pond, which are his ideas and knowledge of himself that he gained. We also learn more about why he went to the woods in the first place; he wanted to isolate himself so that he could solely concentrate on his thoughts, and break away from the social norms. During his time at the pond, he establishes that “the universe is wider than our views of it,” (356), meaning that people often get so caught up in their perception of the world that they forget about everything else that occurs beyond their awareness. Thoreau’s isolation allowed him to explore his own thoughts, and realize what a great impact that humans have on the world. When a path that his feet made still remained years later, he discovered that “the surface of the earth is so impressible by the feet of men; and so with the paths which the mind travels” (358).

Reading Thoreau’s work has left a great impression on me. Many of his ideas rang true to me, because I definitely believe in taking the path less traveled, and avoiding conformity. Although his complete withdrawal from society is much more extreme than many would be willing to do, it did allow him to do a great deal of self-discovery and discovery of the world. Walden reminded me of how important it is to take a break from the opinions of everyone else, and simply listen to one’s own mind. It also encouraged me to live a simpler life, with less exposure to electronics and other unnecessary items. I have always disliked the overwhelming influence that technology has on so many people’s lives, but Thoreau really ingrained that in my mind even more. I found it interesting to read Thoreau’s ideas, discoveries, and philosophies, so Walden was very enjoyable.

[Emma “Acai” Radeka]

In “Brute Neighbors,” Thoreau describes an ongoing war between red and black ants and compares it to humans. Although he never discovered what started the war, he found his “feelings excited and harrowed by witnessing the struggle, the ferocity and carnage, of a human battle” (289). This battle between the ants represents the constant struggle of men; fighting each other for no good reason. The ants have lived for ages with war being their lifestyle. I like Elise’s point of how people without societal pressures become more in-touch with their inner struggles, which in turn causes war. Thoreau, although not a fan of war, enjoys watching the ants’ battle because he sees it as an action based on the simplicity of their lives, and is able to compare it to battles of humans. He compares the ants’ battle to the Battle of Bunker Hill, in order to more directly correlate humans’ struggles with those of the ants. He compares one of the ants to “Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus” (288). He uses this analogy to explain the unfair advantage that the black ants had over the red ants, similar to many human wars.

If everyone lived as simply as Thoreau did, I do not think people would live life like the ants. In the time period that Thoreau stayed at Walden Pond, people did not live simply, and there were wars. Therefore, if everyone turned to the woods and adopted some of Thoreau’s simplistic beliefs, maybe they would realize that war is unnecessary and savage-like, and they would not want to feed the savage side of themselves by indulging in it.

[Emma “Acai” Radeka]

In “Higher Laws,” Thoreau discusses the two different sides that humans possess: the civilized side, and the savage side. He argues that “no humane being, past the thoughtless age of boyhood, will wantonly murder any creature, which holds its life by the same tenure that he does” (275). However, he acknowledges that humans can not always remain civilized; it is inevitable that they will occasionally retreat to their wild, savage side. “Possibly we may withdraw from it, but never change its nature” (280). Thoreau uses the eating of animals to explain this. He tells the story of how he used to eat fish, but then realized that “it was insignificant and unnecessary, and cost more than it came to” (276). He points out that just because humans are able to eat extravagant and luxurious foods, does not mean that we should. He frowns upon “the devotion to sensual savors” (279) that many people indulge in, and therefore believes that food should not be consumed for pleasure; it should only be eaten for survival.

I have agreed with most of Thoreau’s beliefs in the book, but I do not agree with his idea that humans should not get enjoyment out of their food. We have to eat anyway, so why should we not enjoy and savor the taste of food as we eat it? As Noah said, although we do get nutrition from a simple diet, the meat of animals can greatly benefit us. Today, eating animals is a common occurrence, because they provide so many great nutritional values. Even though many people refrain from eating animals or animal products, the majority of humans participates in eating meat, and that will probably never change, as it has become known and commonly accepted as the “food chain.”

[Emma “Acai” Radeka]

In “The Ponds,” Thoreau discusses the beauty of ponds, especially Walden Pond. He explains that amongst all the development and chaos, ponds and lakes remain pure and undeveloped; “of all the characters I have known, perhaps Walden wears best, and best preserves its purity” (260). He elaborates on his already established preference of simplicity and peace rather than common society, by acknowledging certain things that make Walden Pond beautiful. He explains that it goes unchanged, while everything changes around it; “Nations come and go without defiling it” (257). Thoreau also writes about all the pond has to offer, such as pickerel and his process of getting water, but he is much more pleased by the beauty and simplicity of the pond overall. Even the material things it offers, as mentioned above, are nothing more than basic necessities, which reestablishes the simplistic beliefs of Thoreau as stated throughout the text.

I really like Julia’s comparison of Walden Pond to the earth’s eye. I enjoyed reading that in the book, but did not think to elaborate on it in depth, so her response regarding that point was interesting to read.

[Emma “Acai” Radeka]

In “The Bean-Field,” Thoreau describes the pleasure he gets from bean farming. He plants beans purely for the experience; the food and money that he makes from it are simply additional bonuses, although they do not concern him. He enjoyed the long hours he spent working on his crop, because “it has a constant and imperishable moral” (232). Thoreau believed that farming for enjoyment rather than obligation is far superior, since it allowed him to make an “intimate and curious acquaintance” (235) with his beans. On the other hand, farmers who only grow their crops for money, as he mentioned in “Economy,” feel pressured to grow the perfect crop and do not get to experience the beauty in the process.

Max brings up a good point about how Thoreau is “cultivating himself as the farmer.” Thoreau supports this by explaining how demanding this experiment is, but discussing how much experience he gains through it.

 

[Emma “Acai” Radeka]

Isabella, I like how you bring up the point that nature is always there, while man is not. This is evident when Thoreau says, “some came from the village to fish for pouts. . .but they soon retreated. . .and left ‘the world to darkness and to me’. . .I believe men are generally still a little afraid of the dark” (212). He explains how men do come around, but they never stay, while nature is constantly present.

[Emma “Acai” Radeka]

In “Sounds,” we start to get a more detailed perspective of Thoreau’s daily life and thoughts at the pond. After not coming into contact with humans for a long period of time, he begins to pay more attention to the sounds around him and make them into ideas and stories. He comments on how “the distant lowing of some cow in the horizon beyond the woods sounded sweet and melodious” (207). When the train goes by, he pictures scenarios of “restless city merchants. . .arriving within the circle of the town, or adventurous country traders from the other side” (201). Since he has been alone for so long, this becomes his form of entertainment. He really enjoys the sounds of birds, and compares their songs to humans; “Their dismal scream is truly Ben Jonsonian” (209). He does this to overcome loneliness.

[Emma “Acai” Radeka]

Thoreau is especially attracted to Hollowell Farm due to its isolation and “complete retirement, being about two miles from the village” (Thoreau 175). Unlike the common buyer, who would prefer to live in closer proximity to the town and their neighbors, this solitude is exactly what Thoreau sought, because of his desire to live with only what is necessary, as said in “Economy.” This is why Thoreau was interested in living a farm; he enjoyed the withdrawal from society and “always cultivated a garden” (Thoreau 176). His interests prove that he is more devoted to living his life as simply and peacefully as possible; not conforming to popular interests.

Alexa, I agree with your point that he is more concerned with himself than any others, which explains why he enjoys living in solitude. He began this life of isolation solely “to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and and see if I could not learn what it had to teach” (Thoreau 182). His experiment in the woods is really a means of self-improvement in his eyes, so his main focus is himself and his connection with nature around him.

– Emma Radeka

[Emma “Acai” Radeka]

In “Economy,” Thoreau explains his idea of the four necessaries of life; food, shelter, clothing, and fuel. He describes how initially, food was considered the only necessity, and then once shelter was created, it became a necessity, followed by clothing and fuel. He elaborates on the unfortunate fact that the excessive use of a new discovery, “at first a luxury, arose the present necessity to sit by it” (120). However, he believes that food and fuel are the only true necessities, while “Clothing and Shelter are wholly or half unnecessary” (121). Thoreau says that “heat” is achieved through these four necessities, but too much of them or anything more luxurious can be detrimental. He compares people in luxury who are “far from too warm” (121), to people who live simply with the bare necessities, being “streaming with perspiration at undergoing such a roasting” (121), because they have achieved the ultimate “heat” from living with nothing more than is necessary.

Kheldhe makes a good point about Thoreau’s idea that many people of high status or social class are often some of the most greedy and materialistic. Many of them lack the simplistic point of view that Thoreau believes everyone should have. This is because they are exposed to an abundance of luxury, and “Of a life of luxury the fruit is luxury” (122), meaning that once one has become accustomed to a rich lifestyle, they can rarely retract to a simple life of solely the necessities. Thoreau acknowledges this and adds that “the wisest have ever lived a more simple and meagre life than the poor. The ancient philosophers. . .were a class than which none has been poorer in outward riches, none so rich in inward” (122), meaning regardless of social or financial status, the key to warmth and happiness is living in the utmost simplicity.

 

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