[Mike “Mixed Fruit” Durgin]

What Thoreau had learned in “Conclusion” was himself. The goal of all of this was to understand himself and that was the end result. Everything from the Pond to nature, helped him in his journey to discover his own individuality.  He has also discovered what is important to him and he realized that the only way one will achieve what they want is through hard work.

Through Walden I have learned about simplicity and the basic necessities of life. There are so many excess things in the world that prove to be things that we can live without. Society has been spoiled with technology, making life for us much more easier. The desire to have the newest and the best distracts people from the core necessities. Before anything else can be obtained, one must have Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel; and I feel that those necessities have been under appropriated. If people were more grateful for the basic necessities that they have, then the world would be a happier place. I have also learned that time with oneself is an important part of life; in order to find yourself, you must look into yourself, and the only way that can be achieved is through solitude.

I will try to keep simplicity and the basic necessities in my mind. With Thanksgiving coming this is the time to be especially grateful for what I have and to not let my desires become distractions in life. In Thoreau’s way of living, a simple life is a happy life, and who couldn’t use a little more happiness.

[Mike “Mixed Fruit” Durgin]

In “Higher Laws”, Thoreau discusses his opinion on Food. Food is one of the necessities of life and to Thoreau, that’s all it should be. He claims that savoring food is something that shouldn’t be done, but savoring can actually be a good influence on our lives. By savoring the food, it can be appreciated much more. Also, by experimenting with food, one’s knowledge grows, making it anything but a distraction from higher intellectual pursuits. Elise made a good point about being healthy enough to work. Labor is important to Thoreau, but if proper amounts of food are not consumed, then the important labor will not be nearly as efficient.

[Mike “Mixed Fruit” Durgin]

If everyone experienced living simply as Thoreau did, we would not turn into living how the ants lived. The ants life simply, but they are also engulfed in fighting their opponent. If everyone lived simply then life would be complete opposite of the ants. Everyone would focus on their necessities and nothing else. The ants represent those who are greedy,their want for more causes the ants to act the way they do, but in simple living, the desire for things beyond Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel, will not go into effect. Emma makes a good supporting statement for this idea by referring to the way people acted during his time at Walden Pond. Their lives were not simple and which turned into an influence for the fighting.

[Mike “Mixed Fruit” Durgin]

Thoreau describes the area of where the pond is as a peaceful place, where one can seek solitude. One of the things sought after when in a state of solitude is purity of the mind, a condition when everything becomes clear and free of distraction. That is what the pond represents; the pond symbolizes purity and clarity as Thoreau describes it as “remarkable for its depth and purity” (247). The pond is significant because it is a place where one can find their inner-self, which is very important according to his passage “Solitude”. I agree with Kheldhe when she writes “he looks at the pond as a reminder that life is much bigger than just himself”. The pond is a system, if something were to effect that system, it will be dealt with and then the system will keep going, as there is no stopping the cycle of the system (pond).

[Mike “Mixed Fruit” Durgin]

To Thoreau, farming and working in the bean field is not a job or chore, it what he likes to do. He finds enjoyment from this, and while it may seem like an unpleasant task to most, Thoreau sees it as a pleasurable and satisfying pastime. Though he could sell the beans for a profit, he does not because he believes that he isn’t looking for self-gain, which is something that shouldn’t be sought after according to Economy. In Economy, Thoreau would view this work as an obligation, however that is not the case in The Bean Field as he finds it to be easy-going pleasure. I think Elyse brings up a good point about how Thoreau cares for the beans; he becomes one with them as he looks after the beans with care that none of the other farmers had.

[Mike “Mixed Fruit” Durgin]

What Thoreau liked so much about Hollowell Farm was its isolation. The area were the farm is located is far away from society, and this is what he preferred. This is completely different compared to other real estate buyers because they prefer to be close to society and in on the action. Thoreau favoring Hollowell Farm can be linked to his beliefs in solitude, as they resemble the same properties with his fondness of isolation. He likes to be alone and with a location away from society, the farm gives him a clear mind, free from the distractions of civilization.

Taylor “pineapple”, I like how you related this back to Thoreau’s beliefs in “Economy”. Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel are the necessities of life, and in this place, Thoreau can obtain all of them, while still being in his preferred state of solitude.

[Mike “Mixed Fruit” Durgin]

In “Solitude”, Thoreau discusses the importance of being by oneself. He believed that being alone is a vital piece of life; it gives people the chance to take a step away from society. To get away, Thoreau would look to the woods. There he could be alone but not actually be alone, as he refers to nature as friendly. He uses the word “friendly” because he believes that society can be unfriendly at times. In those times, one can look towards solitude as their relief. Being in a state of solitude gives the mind an opportunity to open as there are no persistent distractions. In this openness, focus in gained and clear thoughts are formed

I agree with Ane when she says “loneliness does not depend on people who surround you, but the busyness of your mind.” Even though in one’s surroundings might be chaotic, loneliness can still be found inside oneself. Keeping a clear state of mind also reflects the satisfaction of being alone.

[Mike “Mixed Fruit” Durgin]

In “Economy”, Thoreau determines what is important and necessary for the survival and success of man. The necessaries that he describes are “Food, Shelter, Clothing and Fuel” (120) and if access to any one of these things were to be cut off, then one’s ability to live a stable life would be increasingly difficult. As Thoreau states, “for not till we have secured these are we prepared to entertain the true problems of life with freedom and a prospect of success” (120), he emphasizes the importance of these necessities by explaining that nothing can be accomplished until Food, Shelter, Clothing and Fuel are obtained. Once one has acquired these necessities, one can focus on other things, such as growth and development. Thoreau then describes what is to be done next, “Surely not more warmth of the same kind, as more and richer food, larger and more splendid houses, finer and more abundant clothing, more numerous incessant and hotter fires, and the like” (123). He believes that there is absolutely no need to make the necessities bigger and better than what they must be, rather, to use them and be grateful for them as one lives their life. I agree with what Matthew says, “most people are born already having their needs met, so all they have to worry about are luxurious items”. When one is born with Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel, there is no desire to gain the necessities, instead that desire is transferred to gaining luxuries.

-Mike Durgin

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