Walden Pond
What does Thoreau mean when he says it is "always the first person" who speaks?
All writers express their own points of view, even though they may not have written it in the first person viewpoint.
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. It is not important that he should mature as soon as an apple tree or an oak....." Explain the meaning of this quote
* Any person can discover their unique way of living life to the fullest, but we must recognize that it is different for everyone * we can't expect every person to experience life the same, nor should we be expected to conform to their views.
Describe Thoreau's life like when he wrote Walden (Life in the Woods)
* lived alone in the woods * a mile from neighbors on the shore of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts * living earned through labor * lived there for 2 years, and 2 months
Describe Thoreau's house
* shingled and plastered * 10 feet wide and 15 feet long, with eight foot posts * garret and a closet * large window on each side * 2 trap doors, 1 at the end * brick fireplace
Describe the lesson Thoreau learned.
* to follow your dreams and live life to the fullest with confidence * by doing things in life or playing an active role you will find success and move beyond your limitations * By actively living you will find truth and purpose in life
Explain Thoreau's purpose for living in Walden.
* to live deliberately * only the essential facts of life * to see if he could learn, what life had to teach * when he came to die, he discovered he had not lived * to live deep and suck out all marrow of life * to live sturdily and Spartan-like
"It is remarkable how easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route and make a beaten track for ourselves". Explain quote.
* without paying attention we follow the path of another and do the same things over and over * create habits and conform to others ways.
In "Where I Lived, and What I Lived for" what does he state most men have concluded?
- Men are uncertain about life - uncertain whether it is good or evil - hastily conclude that the main (chief) purpose in life is to glorify God forever
Study Characteristics on handout
5 total - name examples in Walden, Life in the woods
To what does Thoreau compare a man's building a house to?
A bird building a nest. He connects to nature and the universal soul through his daily experiences at Walden.
How did Thoreau not feel solitary and lonesome during those long times?
Because he was surrounded by nature and stars, therefore he was not alone. because we coexist therefore we are not alone.
What allusion and analogy does Thoreau make in the second paragraph of this section? **
Compares human ants, it is a mythological allusion when he states Zeus changed ants into men.
How did Thoreau pick the specific location that he dug in his cellar?
He choose to dig where a woodchuck had formerly dug.
Why does Thoreau recount these objections and questions concerning his "impertinent" lifestyle?
He is aware of criticism he faces about the way he lived, but he still wanted to address questions
How does Thoreau's choice to dig in the same location as the woodchuck relate to the idea of a divine/universal soul?
His inspiration is from nature, (animal - woodchuck) and illustrates his being in touch with the universe. Like animals he has a need to survive.
When Thoraeu compares taking down the cottage to the destruction of the great city of Troy, what rhetorical device is being used?
Mythological allusion
Explain Thoreau's allusion to Antaeus.
Mythological allusion - Thoreau gets his strength from the earth when growing beans, as does Anteaus the giant gets his strength from his mother, earth.
What does Thoraeu call for?
Simplicity. To keep affairs at a minimum rather than focusing on so many things.
How does what most men concluded about life, compare to Walden's purpose in life?
Thoreau looked for the meaning of life through his OWN experiences and not merely coming to someone elses conclusion or life wisdom from others.
Men scurry about like _____ keeping busy at task without considering whether or not they are worthwhile or purposeful.
ants
What was Thoreau's favorite time at Walden?
during the long rainstorms in the spring or fall
Although 5-6 years have passed, what does Thoreau notice? What is he saying about human nature?
he is refering to a path from his door to the pond which still exists 5-6 years after leaving, he believes others have followed this path since his departure. Not only do we physically follow paths, we do mentally with our thoughts and ideas we fall into ruts of tradition and conformity
"I do not wish to take a cabin pasage, but go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains. I do not wish to "go below now" What is the meaning of this quote?
he wants to have an active role in his life and see everything there is to see (specifically nature), rather than go below and miss it.
What is the purpose of Thoreau's description of the loon?
metaphor about the relationship between people and nature or between people and the elusive meaning of their own existence
Thoreau was soothed by the ceasless roar and pelting of ________ , in which many thoughts had time to take root and unfold themselves.
rain. during this time many thoughts had time to take root and unfold in his mind.
A man using his hands to provide food and shelter for his family is a _______ and ______ life that is similar to birds singing.
simple and honest
Lives are frittered away by detail. What does Thoreau call for?
simplicity
what does "going below" mean in this writing?
taking a passive role as a passenger rather than an active role as a sailor
How does Thoreau's comparison to fighting ants (pg 240 - 241) relate to Transcendential characteristics?
they believed they were fighting for some principle or need (a side from a wood chip) and not something pretty (like a three penny tax on tea).
To what does Thoraeu compare taking down the small cottage?
to the destruction of the great ancient city of Troy.
What does "going before the mast" mean in this poem?
working on a ship to pay for one's passage
