[Haylee Putnam]

Like many who have commented before me,  I didn’t enjoy reading Walden until the end, when all of Thoreau’s thoughts came to a consensus. From reading Walden, I have come to realize the difference in things we want, and things we need. I have also learned that to simplify life is to better it. We all must learn to appreciate things more. We must appreciate the things we have, the people in our lives, and we must also appreciate nature, and learn to use it to our advantage, as Thoreau did at Walden pond. Also, when we work, it should be for the right reasons. We should do what we do to better the world, not for personal gain. We must not be selfish people; we should contribute to bettering the world that allows us to live in it, because that is a privilege, and we must earn it.

~Haylee

[Haylee Putnam]

In “Higher Laws”, Thoreau describes how savoring the taste of foods is distracting from pursuing intellectually higher goals. He believes that people don’t deserve to just enjoy the little things in life; everything is done for a reason, and there is no room for frivolity. I disagree with this, because, as I have said before, I do not believe that life is all about surviving, and not living. I believe that everyone should live life to the fullest, and enjoy every second of their lives.

I agree with Emma Radeka, since we have to eat to survive, why shouldn’t we just enjoy it anyway?

[Haylee Putnam]

In this chapter, “The Bean Field”, Thoreau describes work as something that he chooses to do, rather than something he feels forced to do, like he described in “Economy”. The difference he describes is that, in this case, he wants to be one with nature, and he feels that he is helping nature and contributing to some of its beauty by helping in the Bean Field. He enjoys his work here, as opposed to the working somewhere that is only selling to make money, and gain wealth, because he feels that this is selfish. He enjoys work when it is for a good reason, and is benefiting more than just the workers.

I agree with Kelcie; Thoreau is farming only because he wants to, not for any selfish reason. He isn’t just trying to gain wealth.

[Haylee Putnam]

In “The Ponds”, Thoreau describes Walden Pond, as many others before me have said, as an escape. He views the pond as a symbol of hope, peace, and tranquility. He also states that the surface of the water is a symbolism of life, and how, even when the peace is disturbed, everything will go back to normal, and the peace will be restored. Also throughout the chapter, Thoreau emphasizes the “purity” of the pond, and how it is so different from the outside world, and how at Walden pond, one can’t help but be at peace, and enjoy their time there. He describes how it feels like another world, where there are no worries, and no other people to disturb you.

I agree entirely with Alyssa. She pointed out that Thoreau believed society was corrupt, but that if they were all surrounded by the beauty and purity of nature, like Walden pond, the world would be a better place. I think this is an excellent point Alyssa made.

 

[Haylee Putnam]

In “Economy”, as stated by almost everyone before me, Thoreau defined the necessities of life as food, shelter, clothing, and fuel. He tells us that these four values are all we need in life, and that anything more than that is unnecessary luxuries. Anything more than these four things is what we want, not what we need. He goes on to say how when we do get any extra things in life, it is disastrous, and causes all kinds of chaos. We become greedy, and we can’t control our desire to keep getting things that we don’t need, and when that all adds up, we get jealous. Everyone gets jealous of the things that everyone else has, and that’s when people start competing to get the best things, and that’s when people lose the ability to control their desire for more, new, better possessions.  This, as Thoreau says, is what’s wrong with society.

Catherine and Alexa, are right; people are taught from the beginning to want to be the best, and that is where all of the unspoken competition with everyone else comes from. We need to learn how to control our desire to obtain the best of everything, and, as Catherine said, grow with the basic necessities in life.

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