WaldenWalden“Civil Disobedience”“Civil Disobedience”

Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau

WaldenWalden

About the SelectionAbout the Selection

WaldenWalden was published in 1854, seven was published in 1854, seven years after Thoreau’s two-year residence years after Thoreau’s two-year residence at Walden Pond. at Walden Pond.

During the intervening years, Thoreau During the intervening years, Thoreau reflected upon and revised the journals he reflected upon and revised the journals he had kept at Walden. had kept at Walden.

A celebration of life and nature, A celebration of life and nature, WaldenWalden presents Thoreau’s views on society and presents Thoreau’s views on society and his philosophy of life.his philosophy of life.

About the SelectionAbout the Selection

Thoreau expressed the belief that society Thoreau expressed the belief that society has become too complex and fast-paced has become too complex and fast-paced and that people should do everything and that people should do everything possible to simplify their lives.possible to simplify their lives.

He also stresses the need to resist He also stresses the need to resist conformity and to follow our own inner conformity and to follow our own inner voices, and he suggests that by doing so voices, and he suggests that by doing so people can experience a spiritual people can experience a spiritual awakening.awakening.

PlotPlot

Did Thoreau truly intend to purchase a Did Thoreau truly intend to purchase a farm?farm? No, he was merely enjoying mental No, he was merely enjoying mental

speculation about the land around him.speculation about the land around him.

Evaluating ThoughtEvaluating Thought

“… “… for a man is rich in proportion to the for a man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let number of things which he can afford to let alone.” (p. 404)alone.” (p. 404) The fewer encumbrances there are on one’s The fewer encumbrances there are on one’s

life, the richer and freer that life will be.life, the richer and freer that life will be.

SpeculationSpeculation

Do you think Thoreau’s philosophy about a Do you think Thoreau’s philosophy about a man’s wealth applies in today’s world?man’s wealth applies in today’s world? Given today’s emphasis on material Given today’s emphasis on material

possessions, we may have difficulty adhering possessions, we may have difficulty adhering to his philosophy of simple living.to his philosophy of simple living.

AllusionAllusion

““With respect to landscapes:With respect to landscapes:I am monarch of all I surveyI am monarch of all I survey

My right there is none to dispute.”My right there is none to dispute.”

William Cowper:William Cowper:

Verses Supposed to Be Written by Alexander Verses Supposed to Be Written by Alexander SelkirkSelkirk

““The real attractions of the Hollowell farm, to me, were: The real attractions of the Hollowell farm, to me, were: its complete retirementits complete retirement, being about two miles from , being about two miles from the village, half a mile from the nearest neighbor, and the village, half a mile from the nearest neighbor, and separated from the highway by a broad field; separated from the highway by a broad field; its its bounding on the riverbounding on the river, which the owner said protected , which the owner said protected it by its fogs from frosts in the spring, though that was it by its fogs from frosts in the spring, though that was nothing to me; nothing to me; the gray color and ruinous state of the the gray color and ruinous state of the house and barn, and the dilapidated fenceshouse and barn, and the dilapidated fences, which put , which put such an interval between me and the last occupant; such an interval between me and the last occupant; the hollow and the lichen-covered apple treesthe hollow and the lichen-covered apple trees, gnawed , gnawed by rabbits, showing what kind of neighbors I should by rabbits, showing what kind of neighbors I should have; but above all, have; but above all, the recollection I had of it from my the recollection I had of it from my earliest voyages up the riverearliest voyages up the river, when the house was , when the house was concealed behind a dense grove of red maples, concealed behind a dense grove of red maples, through which I heard the house dog bark.through which I heard the house dog bark.

StyleStyle

What point does Thoreau make through What point does Thoreau make through his use of repetition in his description of his use of repetition in his description of the Hollowell farm?the Hollowell farm? Repetition shows that he likes the farm Repetition shows that he likes the farm

because it is very isolated and private.because it is very isolated and private.

ParaphraseParaphrase

““But I would say to my fellows, once for all, But I would say to my fellows, once for all, As long as possible live free and As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.” (p. 405)the county jail.” (p. 405) Live life as simply as possible for as long as Live life as simply as possible for as long as

possible. Commitments can imprison a possible. Commitments can imprison a person.person.

Evaluating TextEvaluating Text

What difference do you see between a What difference do you see between a person’s commitment to a farm and to a person’s commitment to a farm and to a jail?jail? While both curtail one’s freedom through While both curtail one’s freedom through

commitment, one is free to leave the farm or commitment, one is free to leave the farm or to sell it while one is not free to leave the jail.to sell it while one is not free to leave the jail.

IronyIrony

““When first I took up my abode in the When first I took up my abode in the woods, that is, began to spend my nights woods, that is, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which by accident, as well as days there, which by accident, was on Independence Day, or the fourth of was on Independence Day, or the fourth of July, 1845, my house was not finished for July, 1845, my house was not finished for winter…”winter…” Thoreau is declaring his independence from Thoreau is declaring his independence from

the restrictions of complicated society.the restrictions of complicated society.

DetailsDetails

What was the state of Thoreau’s house in What was the state of Thoreau’s house in the woods when he first took up the woods when he first took up residence?residence? It was unfinished, without the insulation or It was unfinished, without the insulation or

inside walls that provide winter protection.inside walls that provide winter protection. “… “… merely a defense against the rain, without merely a defense against the rain, without

plastering or chimney, the walls being of plastering or chimney, the walls being of rough weather-stained boards, with wide rough weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it cool at night.” (p. 405)chinks, which made it cool at night.” (p. 405)

AllusionAllusion

Olympus is a mountain in northern Greece Olympus is a mountain in northern Greece and an important setting in ancient Greek and an important setting in ancient Greek mythology. mythology.

Described as the home of the gods, it was Described as the home of the gods, it was off-limits to mortals.off-limits to mortals.

From it, Zeus ruled the 12 gods who From it, Zeus ruled the 12 gods who governed the world.governed the world.

Cultural AttitudeCultural Attitude

In the ancient Greek stories to which Thoreau In the ancient Greek stories to which Thoreau refers, each Greek god was closely associated refers, each Greek god was closely associated with a specific aspect of nature --- such as the with a specific aspect of nature --- such as the sun or the moon --- or with specific emotions --- sun or the moon --- or with specific emotions --- such a s love or anger.such a s love or anger.

The educated people of Thoreau’s day would The educated people of Thoreau’s day would have been familiar with the Greek language and have been familiar with the Greek language and lore, so a reference to Greek mythology in a lore, so a reference to Greek mythology in a discussion about nature would have been seen discussion about nature would have been seen as totally appropriate. as totally appropriate.

““The nation itselfThe nation itself, with all its so-called internal , with all its so-called internal improvements, which, by the way, are all improvements, which, by the way, are all external and superficial, is just external and superficial, is just an unwieldy and an unwieldy and overgrown establishmentovergrown establishment, cluttered with , cluttered with furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined by luxury and heedless expense, by want of by luxury and heedless expense, by want of calculation and a worthy aim, as the million calculation and a worthy aim, as the million households in the land; and households in the land; and the only cure for it the only cure for it as for them is in rigid economyas for them is in rigid economy, a stern and , a stern and more than Spartan simplicity of life and more than Spartan simplicity of life and elevation of purpose.” (p. 407)elevation of purpose.” (p. 407)

AllusionAllusion

SpartanSpartan Like the people of Sparta, an ancient Like the people of Sparta, an ancient

Greek state whose citizens were known to Greek state whose citizens were known to be hardy, stoical, simple, and highly be hardy, stoical, simple, and highly disciplined.disciplined.

Evaluating TextEvaluating Text

““It (the nation) lives too fast.”It (the nation) lives too fast.” Is this a good summary of Thoreau’s belief Is this a good summary of Thoreau’s belief

about American life?about American life? If people worked to simplify their lives, there If people worked to simplify their lives, there

would be much less demand for material would be much less demand for material goods and new technology.goods and new technology.

Evaluating TextEvaluating Text

““We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us…” (p. 407) Do you agree/ disagree?us…” (p. 407) Do you agree/ disagree? Technological progress enables people to expand Technological progress enables people to expand

their journeys --- both physical and spiritual. Some their journeys --- both physical and spiritual. Some may disagree that progress is negative. However, may disagree that progress is negative. However, technology demands a lot of people. It can, if not technology demands a lot of people. It can, if not carefully managed, control us by requiring us to pay carefully managed, control us by requiring us to pay for it, care for it, constantly upgrade it, and speed up for it, care for it, constantly upgrade it, and speed up our lives to keep up with it. our lives to keep up with it.

DetailsDetails

Why did Thoreau go to the woods?Why did Thoreau go to the woods? He went to live simply and deliberately, to try He went to live simply and deliberately, to try

to understand the essential facts of life.to understand the essential facts of life. ““I went to the woods for as good a reason as I I went to the woods for as good a reason as I

left there. Perhaps it seemed to me that I had left there. Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several more lives to live, and could not spare several more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that one.” (p. 407)any more time for that one.” (p. 407)

Evaluating TextEvaluating Text

“ “ I learned this, at least, by my experiment; I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” (p. 408)common hours.” (p. 408)

What does Thoreau mean?What does Thoreau mean?

Evaluating TextEvaluating Text

““If you have built castles in the air, your If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under should be. Now put the foundations under them…” (p. 408)them…” (p. 408) Thoreau espouses the belief that dreams are Thoreau espouses the belief that dreams are

good and that one should work hard to meet good and that one should work hard to meet those dreams. Dream big and then keep those dreams. Dream big and then keep looking up, aspiring to catch up with your looking up, aspiring to catch up with your goals.goals.

Literary Device - MetaphorLiterary Device - Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech (a trope) A metaphor is a figure of speech (a trope) in which one thing is described as being in which one thing is described as being something else.something else.

Literary AnalysisLiterary Analysis

What metaphor does Thoreau use when What metaphor does Thoreau use when he says: “If a man does not keep pace he says: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”however measured or far away.” Man is compared to a musician who must Man is compared to a musician who must

follow the beat he hears in his head rather follow the beat he hears in his head rather than what he is told to follow.than what he is told to follow.

Rhetorical QuestionsRhetorical Questions

““It is not important that he should mature It is not important that he should mature as soon as an apple tree or an oak. Shall as soon as an apple tree or an oak. Shall he turn his spring into summer? If the he turn his spring into summer? If the condition of things which we were made condition of things which we were made for is not yet, what were any reality which for is not yet, what were any reality which we can substitute? We will not be we can substitute? We will not be shipwrecked on a vain reality.” (p. 408)shipwrecked on a vain reality.” (p. 408)

What is the effect of these questions?What is the effect of these questions?

Evaluating TextEvaluating Text

““However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you are. It looks poorest when you are bad as you are. It looks poorest when you are richest. The faultfinder will find faults even in richest. The faultfinder will find faults even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is.”paradise. Love your life, poor as it is.” Thoreau shares that when you are financially poor, Thoreau shares that when you are financially poor,

you are rich because you value the simple pleasures you are rich because you value the simple pleasures in life. If you have money, then you ignore the little in life. If you have money, then you ignore the little things and find fault even in paradise.things and find fault even in paradise.

DetailsDetails

What does Thoreau feel about superfluous What does Thoreau feel about superfluous wealth?wealth? It is unimportant because it only buys It is unimportant because it only buys

unnecessary things. unnecessary things. Money cannot buy the truly necessary items Money cannot buy the truly necessary items

of the spirit.of the spirit.

MetaphorMetaphor

“… “… a strong and beautiful bug which came a strong and beautiful bug which came out of the dry leaf of an old table of apple-out of the dry leaf of an old table of apple-tree wood, which had stood in a farmer’s tree wood, which had stood in a farmer’s kitchen for sixty years, first in Connecticut, kitchen for sixty years, first in Connecticut, and afterward in Massachusetts --- from and afterward in Massachusetts --- from an egg deposited in the living tree many an egg deposited in the living tree many years earlier still, as appeared by counting years earlier still, as appeared by counting the annual layers beyond it; which was the annual layers beyond it; which was heard gnawing out for several weeks, heard gnawing out for several weeks, hatched perchance by the heat of an urn.”hatched perchance by the heat of an urn.”

MetaphorMetaphor

To what does Thoreau compare the long-To what does Thoreau compare the long-buried egg?buried egg? He compares it to our human vitality to our life He compares it to our human vitality to our life

energy, which can seem dead and buried but energy, which can seem dead and buried but is still capable of emerging afresh.is still capable of emerging afresh.

Rhetorical DevicesRhetorical Devices

Speaker – Henry David ThoreauSpeaker – Henry David Thoreau Audience – society as a whole; those Audience – society as a whole; those

curious about his life at Walden Pondcurious about his life at Walden Pond Purpose – to informPurpose – to inform Position – Only through living life simply Position – Only through living life simply

and following their dreams can people be and following their dreams can people be truly happy.truly happy.

““Civil Disobedience” DefinedCivil Disobedience” Defined

The deliberate and public refusal to obey The deliberate and public refusal to obey laws that violate one’s personal principles.laws that violate one’s personal principles.

Civil DisobedienceCivil Disobedience

This selection is excerpted from a long This selection is excerpted from a long essay, about 20 pages in length, in which essay, about 20 pages in length, in which Thoreau advocates civil disobedience.Thoreau advocates civil disobedience.

Thoreau expresses his belief that Thoreau expresses his belief that government has been no more than an government has been no more than an impediment to the productivity and impediment to the productivity and achievements of the American people.achievements of the American people.

Background Background

The Mexican War took place from 1846 to 1848.The Mexican War took place from 1846 to 1848. The U.S. was fighting Mexico over a dispute with The U.S. was fighting Mexico over a dispute with

the Texas-Mexico boundary.the Texas-Mexico boundary. The U.S. also was petitioning for the purchase of The U.S. also was petitioning for the purchase of

California and New Mexico.California and New Mexico. Thoreau refused to pay his taxes because he Thoreau refused to pay his taxes because he

refused to fund the war effort. He was jailed for refused to fund the war effort. He was jailed for breach.breach.

According to ThoreauAccording to Thoreau

Philosophically, he stands opposed to the Philosophically, he stands opposed to the government.government.

Practically, he urges readers to try to Practically, he urges readers to try to make a better government, one that make a better government, one that commands respect.commands respect.

““Government”Government”

““That government is best which governs That government is best which governs least.least.

Thoreau believes that there should be as Thoreau believes that there should be as little government as possible because it little government as possible because it generally creates more problems than it generally creates more problems than it solves.solves.

Universal IdeaUniversal Idea

Thoreau asks his readers to step forward Thoreau asks his readers to step forward and state what they want from a and state what they want from a government.government.

Is this a possibility? Does this happen Is this a possibility? Does this happen today?today?

Rhetorical DevicesRhetorical Devices

Speaker – Henry David ThoreauSpeaker – Henry David Thoreau Audience – citizens of the U.S.Audience – citizens of the U.S. Purpose – to persuadePurpose – to persuade Position – A government is only as strong Position – A government is only as strong

as the people it serves. If people are not as the people it serves. If people are not willing to tell the government what they willing to tell the government what they want, then government will function on its want, then government will function on its own unguided path.own unguided path.