In Review: American Literature Series: Walden

In continuing my theme of reviewing American Literature, last week was an especially big treat for me. As soon as I saw my options for readings and post topics, I knew where I was headed. I bought a used copy of Walden about three years ago, but have never had a chance to read it until now. Judging from bits of other work I have read by Thoreau and his ideals, I knew that I would connect with this work too. I actually had the chance to visit Walden Pond last month, and it was very moving.

Thoreau addresses the topic of work in the first chapter of Walden, titled Economy. Essentially he challenges the Puritan work ethic and openly questions the increasing human dependency on material items. Thoreau asks about his fellow human, “Why should they begin digging their graves as soon as they are born?” (Walden, 2). He points out how little human beings truly need to live and gives us a look at the way people choose to live instead, a life of indulgent excess that requires them to work so hard that they have no time to know themselves, their spirits, and their connections with nature. He examines warmth and shelter, food, and clothing in depth and questions what makes people desire more than what they need, especially when the proverbial price is so high.

In the 1850’s, when he lived at Walden Pond, the nation was going through many changes that centered mainly around industry. Living in Massachusetts, he had the opportunity to see a lot of this industry and its effects firsthand, and saw a different end of the spectrum of freedom for African Americans than someone living in the south would have in the pre Civil-War era. Industry created a greater number of cities in the north, which created much different living conditions than the nation had ever seen. Thoreau addresses these standards of living as he analyzes the prices some people pay for rent only because they have such material items that are beyond the basic needs of survival.

I think Economy is a wonderful example of a theme in American literature that we examined in class that week, “...material success leads somehow to spiritual failure.” (Gray, 30). Indeed, I think that this somewhat summarizes what Thoreau is trying to say in this chapter. Much of the reading we did in our text last week tells us about the European view of so-called savages, which included the Native Americans. Thoreau mentions the Native Americans a lot in this chapter. He talks about how they have lived more simply, only taking what they need, and have had less formal work to do as a result of their living. He tells us to “consider how slight a shelter is absolutely necessary.” (Walden, 18) as the Native Americans have done, in order to have more freedom for our time.

Another important concept regarding work that he touches on is the fact that work is only seen (by common people) as work if it is creating a good or doing something to benefit others. He talks about the work he does as a poet/writer through this lens, when he compares it to the Native American basket that no one will buy or trade for, “I too have woven a kind of basket of a delicate texture, but I had not made it worth anyone’s while to buy them. Yet not the less in my case, did I think it worth my while to weave them.” (Walden,12). He is sort of seen as a savage too because he chooses to live more simply and address the parts of life that mean more to him than material goods; his own spirit and his connection with nature.I cried a lot when I read this chapter. To be able to connect his vision with his land that I had a chance to spend some time on, and then, my own vision for my future…powerful. Total lit. geek, I know. There are so many people out there who have this notion that work makes you more civilized, and that those who don’t hold traditional jobs are somehow less than. How can it be so wrong to work as little as I can – in a traditional sense – and be nearly careless of what I earn in order to live my dream? Because I have long since decided that I set my own standards for my life, I can’t find even one reason. I count Thoreau among my newly favorite authors, because he questioned and analyzed why human beings can be so judgmental of a soul that merely wants to be fulfilled and free.

~ Peace and Love, Tracey

© Tracey Love, 2015. All rights reserved.Photo Credits: Me

Works Cited: Gray, Richard. A History of American Literature. Malden: Wiley Blackwell, 2012. Print.Thoreau, Henry David. Walden: Or Life in the Woods. Ontario: Dover, 1995. Print.