[Ryan “Apple” Campbell]

In Thoreau’s “Conclusion”, he talks about how living separated and withdrawn from society at the Walden Pond has changed him. He discusses how his time spent away in isolation, has helped him to realize the true wonders of the world. Thoreau talks about how through nature he has learned to live a more morally subjective life based on the original and basic goals of humanity. Thoreau goes on to explain how living at the Walden Pond, completely engulfed in nature has helped him to these realizations, and he explains how he wants to use his text to help share this with the world so that they might understand what it truly means to live. Thoreau says “I do not suppose that I have attained to obscurity, but I should be proud if no more fatal fault were found with my pages on this score than was found with the Walden ice.”(360). Thoreau has gained so much through his experiences at Walden pond, and due to these lessons, he wishes to share them with all so that everyone can see how he does.

After reading Walden I learned how by not letting myself be entranced and absorbed by society, and living a more common and basic life style, I can see more about my true self and about the world around me. Because of the readings, I am inspired to try to slowly bring some seclusion to my life. Not through rejecting society and living in the woods, but possibly taking away some of my wasted time on things like my phone or other sorts of distractions from the world.

-Ryan

[Ryan “Apple” Campbell]

In the chapter “Brute Neighbors”, Thoreau describes the interaction between black and red ants in the field. While watching these ants he describes the strong bonds that they hold for each other. They fight as one and do what they can to help each one defend themselves from the other. He describes these interactions as brutal and fighting for what they believed without rest. Thoreau describes the persistence as the ants by saying “And the results of this battle will be as important and memorable to those whom it concerns as those of the battle of Bunker Hill, at least.”(289). Thoreau sees these ants attack with such vigor that they put all they have into this single fight to the death, even for such a little thing as a chip, he compares it to Bunker Hill.

I agree with what Emma says about the battle being related to the constant struggle of man. The war had begun for who knows what reason and although so much had been put at stake, the stubbornness if each ant had created a brutal fight where neither would give in, leading to many deaths. This kind of behavior is exactly how normal humans react. Because of the stubborn opinion of each side, a single event can erupt into a full on destructive battle. The violent nature relates to all creatures and by exploiting it, a most devastating outcome can arise from any situation.

-Ryan

[Ryan “Apple” Campbell]

In the chapter “Higher Law”, Thoreau discusses how things like the pleasures of food can’t be enjoyed by people. The different kinds of pleasures such as the enjoyable tastes of food can separate the goals by being distracted by these kinds of behaviors. By being stared from these joys, one can work harder to gain satisfaction. Thoreau states “Fisherman, hunters, woodchoppers… are often in a more favorable mood for observing her”(273). The quote here expresses how without such pleasure one can focus more on ones goals and surroundings.

I agree with what jack says, when he mentions that these distractions of food prevent a higher mental pursuit. With these kinds of distractions, one can miss a lot of goes on. The kinds of self-pleasure can make one ignore their surroundings and what could be enjoyed or taken advantage of.

-Ryan

[Ryan “Apple” Campbell]

In “The Ponds”, Thoreau describes the pond to relate to the image of one person, and how in nature the characteristics of this tranquil pond can relate to anyone. The pond appears to be a gateway, and although it can appear one way, by getting a closer look you can see its true deepness and contents. The significance of the colors or the pond is an example of this, and how it can relate to people. Thoreau describes the colors of the ponds, “All our concord waters have two colors, at least one when viewed at a distance, and another more proper, close at hand. The first depends more on the light… and at a great distance all appear alike. But, looking directly down into our waters from a boat, they are seen to be very different colors.”(247). The description of how the colors of the lake change from being adapted to the surroundings from a distance, to being more complex and wonderful up close, directly correlates to the behaviors and interaction of people in society. Without getting to know someone, there is a rough opinion about them, and they are seen as one big picture depending on the crowd they find themselves in. Yet by knowing someone more personally and up close, one can see the individuality and complexity one person can have, as symbolized in the lake.

I agree with what Julia says about the pond being the eye and holding the beauty and values within. The pond draws attention with its appearances, yet it grasps a deeper definition. The pond itself isn’t just a pond; it holds secrets, serenity, beauty and its own special effects. Much like people do in the world. The pond represents more than it shows and can see further into the meaning of things by taking a closer look.

-Ryan

[Ryan “Apple” Campbell]

The chapter “The Been-Field”, varies from that of “Economy” because of its differential opinion between his decimation against farmers and working being that of a mandatory task, to the pleasure he gains from tending to his bean field. In the chapter Thoreau describes tending to the fields by saying “I cherish them, I hoe them, early and late I have an eye to them…the remaining beans will be tough for them, and go forward to meet new foes.”(231). Here Thoreau explains his devotion and consuming labor all to take care of these beans. He learns to enjoy caring for his crop. And where as in “Economy” he believed to share his opinions on how working can be a burden and attack against society.

I Agree with what Kelcie says about Thoreau caring for his crops to learn for himself. People often look to gain a profit over doing what they enjoy. And by Thoreau choosing to use his bean farm, he expresses how one can truly convey a sense of self accomplishment and success through an honest effort.

-Ryan

[Ryan “Apple” Campbell]

In “Solitude”, Thoreau describes why this seclusion is so important in Walden. His description of the land paints a picture of a place where there is little connection with others, he says “My nearest neighbor is a mile distant, and no house is visible from any place but the hill-tops within half a mile of my own.”(212). His abandonment of the rest of society brings out the beauty in the world without the trifles of conflict between other man. He says that he can enjoy the beauty and live without darkness. This ideal of being in a place of nature, he explains, can bring out the beauty in any person. He says, “Yet I experienced sometimes that the most sweet and tender, the most innocent and encouraging society may be found in any natural object, even for the poor misanthrope and the most melancholy man. There can be no very black melancholy to him who lives in the midst of nature and has his senses still.” (212). Thoreau encourages the idea that by living in solitude there can be no troubles. He believes that all can enjoy this and argues that to find real purity all people have to do is abandon their aggressive troublesome life styles and live in solitude, as it can cure the bleakness of any human.

In response to Muriel, I agree with what you say about “Thoreau separates himself from all other humans in order to gain a sense of comfort.” I think that the idea of gaining enlightenment from the seclusion is what Thoreau is trying to say. Yet I disagree with the point you made about him seeing beauty in nature rather than people. I believed that Thoreau simply used the nature to gain this sense of internal peace, and encouraged others to join in the practice, but didn’t have as much opinion on other people to raise the idea that they caused problems in every case, and that they had the capability to be pure, especially through living in nature.

-Ryan

 

[Ryan “Apple” Campbell]

 

In the passage “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For”, Thoreau describes his encounter with the Hollowell farm, and what made it appeal to his sense. When he describes what compelled him to go after this farm, he describes some of the characteristics by saying “I was in haste to buy it before the proprietor finished getting out some rocks, cutting down the hollow apple trees and grubbing up some young birches that had spring up in the pasture, or, in short, had made any more of his improvements. I was ready to carry it on; like Atlas, to carry the world on my shoulders.”(176). His description here depicts his attitude toward the want to take all the realness of this place and to make it his own through labor. One main aspect that drew him to this farm was its separation from society, he says “The real attractions of the Hollowell farm, to me were: it’s complete retirement, being about two miles from the nearest village, half a mile from the nearest neighbor, and separated from the highway by a broad field.”(176). Whereas most people would turn away at the idea of being drawn away from the village and society, Thoreau strove to find as much distance as he could. The qualities that Thoreau strove for in finding the perfect farm, emphasizes his difference in priorities from most people. The characteristics of a distant run down home say how he really searched for the kind of easy going laid back life. He sought peace away from the crowd and to live without the burden of society.

I agree with what Noah is saying about Thoreau prioritizing simplicity. Thoreau further explains how he searches just for a place to grow his seeds and live on his land. His goals are to fall back on the basics of life as he describes in “Economy. Also he goes into more detail in “Solitude to explain why he enjoys the kind of separation. So by saying that he urged the idea of Simplicity, I think, is the most accurate way to describe him.

-Ryan

[Ryan “Apple” Campbell]

In “Economy”, by Thoreau, he describes what is needed for people to survive as being “Food, Shelter, Clothing and Fuel” (120). These basic attributes for living that he describes are essentially all that is required for them to live. Thoreau discusses how these few things are the basis for stabilizing life, and in order to excel, these few requirements must be and many met. Along with this, Thoreau talks about how man has developed and gained items of luxury that go along with these essentials, however turn out to burden what could be, by becoming risky or trivial to survival. At one point he states “Most of the luxuries, and many of the so called comforts of life, are not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.”(122). He describes here how these luxuries are distractions that people have made and by doing so, have set back the future of survival by losing sight on what truly is the basis for life. Thoreau believes how the essentials of man are simplistic in the terms of fuel, food, shelter and clothing. And that straying from these basics is not essential to human survival, just that they should focus more on simplistic ideas, rather than be distracted by frivolous possessions. After reading Brona’s response, I agree with how she describes how Thoreau justified his reasoning by quoting how philosophers, and describing the way that people try too hard and lose focus on what’s important. This helped me to realize what he meant by luxuries were a burden, and see that the luxuries appeared as distractions for what was really needed for survival.

-Ryan Campbell

[Author]

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