Walden

The Book that Changed the Environmentalist Movement

Introduction

Throughout history, there has been a multitude of publications that have revolutionized both literature and society. Henry David Thoreau’s novel “Walden” changed the way society views materialism and nature. Although it was published 166 years ago, this novel left its mark on society as a whole and allowed for people to appreciate their environment and for materialism to be unessential. Thoreau’s experience, as depicted in this novel, revolutionized society and will forever be valued as a historical work.

About the Author

Henry David Thoreau was born in 1817 and was later referred to as a “Naturalist”; whilst attending Harvard University in Concord, Massachusetts, Thoreau met Ralph Emerson and both men exhausted the importance of their philosophical beliefs. Amidst his newfound “friendship” America was undergoing a Transcendentalist Movement and Thoreau was a major contributor to its influences. Thoreau did not limit himself to just being a writer,” Social reformer — Naturalist — Philosopher — Transcendentalist — Scientist. These are just some of the terms by which the work of Henry David Thoreau can be categorized”(Henry David Thoreau). David Thoreau was recognized for his themes of naturalism and the importance of being in touch with nature, as well as his disregard to traditional society. In an article from The Walden Woods Project it states, “As a naturalist, Thoreau understood that the path to a greater understanding of our life on earth is through an understanding of the natural world around us and of which we are part [of]” (Henry David Thoreau). Thoreau decided that to fully emerge into the naturalist experience he must have no influence of materialism from the traditional world, and must live off of the basic human necessities. He then moved to a cabin by Walden Pond, and the rest is history.

The Book

Thoreau’s novel “Walden” is somewhat a depiction of the writer’s experience while living next to Walden Pond in the middle of the woods. Critics are still unsure as to why Thoreau decided to make the drastic decision to change his lifestyle — some speculate it was due to the death of his brother. This book is filled with themes of self-reliance and naturalism, all artistically coated with symbolism and satire. The overall purpose of this book however was to achieve complete solidarity and regain perspective of what the human necessities truly are and to test if material items are even beneficial. In an article titled “Walden”, the author states, “Henry David Thoreau sought to separate himself from what he and other Transcendentalists saw as the increasing materialism and commercialism …Thoreau wanted to get back to the basics and live in the simplest manner possible so as not only to remove himself from those negative values he associated with a capitalist economy but to look within himself and to nature for his physical as well as spiritual and intellectual needs” (Wayne).In other words, this novel was simply an attempt to get away from the reoccurring battles in society, and to gain a higher intellectual and spiritual level.

Legacy

Henry David Thoreau’s book “Walden”, left a legacy for those who are passionate about environmentalism. Throughout the entirety of this book, Thoreau deduces that to feel satisfied with one’s belongings is: reduce one’s desires or get more quantifiable belongings. Throughout his experience in this novel, he decided that it was best for him to reduce his desires, so that only the basic human necessities remained, “…Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel”(Thoreau). Considering that he “successfully” survived with those necessities, it pushed society to realize that the idea of happiness in life should be simplified. After Thoreau’s passing, his novel became popular due to the political climate at the time. People began realizing that if those basic needs are obsolete, then people do not have anything else to live for — industrialization does not support life. A literary critic stated,”…America came face to face with the consequences of its lack of foresight in managing the environment. Many of the birds of New England, such as the once-ubiquitous passenger pigeon, were all but extinct. The need for wood to warm homes, fuel the steam engine, and make way for farms left forests depleted or destroyed”( Thoreau’s Legacy). In other words, society began realizing that due to this high demand for industrialization and capitalism, the environment was being beat down and could lead to the potential extinction of species. Thoreau’s “Walden” is a book that has shaped America, and continues to be relevant. One of the bigger concerns Americans have is how our day-to-day lives are impacting the environment. Fortunately, because of books like “Walden”, there are conversations about how to proactively resolve the issue and bring light to its effects. This book revolutionized society both in the 1860s and in 2020, this only comes to show the importance of the themes in this work. Without Henry David Thoreau’s book “Walden”, society might have never pushed for environmental change as it has now, his book left a legacy that will not be taken for granted.

Works Cited

Habich, Robert D., and Robert C. Nowatzki. “Walden.” Romanticism and Transcendentalism, 1820?1865, Facts On File, 2010. Bloom’s Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=95547&itemid=WE54&articleId=484604. Accessed 6 Dec. 2020.

“Henry David Thoreau.” The Walden Woods Project, www.walden.org/what-we- do/library/thoreau/.

Riri Nagao. “Henry David Thoreau and Human Necessities.” Riri Nagao, Riri Nagao, 8 Feb. 2017, www.ririnagao.com/henry-david-thoreau-human-necessities/.

“Thoreau’s Legacy.” The Walden Woods Project, www.walden.org/education/for-students/thoreaus-legacy/.

Wayne, Tiffany K. “Walden.” Encyclopedia of Transcendentalism, Facts On File, 2006. Bloom’s Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=95547&itemid=WE54&articleId=39959. Accessed 6 Dec. 2020.