Article: Analysis and Notes on Walden — Henry Thoreau’s Text with Adjacent Thoreauvian Commentary
Analysis and Notes on Walden — Henry Thoreau’s Text with Adjacent Thoreauvian Commentary
http://www.kenkifer.com/Thoreau/index.htm
Perhaps because of this, Walden tends to be treated as either a whimsical, idiosyncratic literary text (that is, a purely personal account with difficult language) or as a journal full of Nature writings for those who love to read about little furry animals. But it really is neither. The purpose of Walden is to argue for, explain, and demonstrate Thoreau’s philosophy of life, a philosophy that is practical and poetic, personal and universal. Thoreau developed his own sense of economics, an understanding that differs greatly from that of Karl Marx (communism) or that of Adam Smith (capitalism), an understanding that can free an individual from a life of toil and worry. But in addition, he developed a purpose for life, something that the communists and capitalists overlooked, a purpose more important than economics. Rather than seeing the acquisition of wealth as the goal for human existence, Thoreau saw the goal of life to be an exploration of the mind and of the magnificent world around us.
Wow. Who knew? I’m going to try and reread Walden.
(via Instapaper)
