Analysis of Walden

Henry David Thoreau's memoir titled Walden chronicles his spiritual journey and life in the woods of Massachusetts near Walden Pond. During this time period ranging over two years, Thoreau observes and attempts to connect on a deeper level with nature itself instead of taking the traditional Transcendentalist approach of simply learning about nature such as Emerson did (Wayne). Tiffany K. Wayne's literary criticism truly captures Thoreau's real thoughts and feeling throughout the memoir and she draws some conclusions and connections of her own. Although the majority of her time is spent summarizing Walden, she makes some key relations to some of Thoreau's other works such as A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers and Civil Disobedience. She also sprinkles in some of her own opinions about the life of Thoreau and how it was effected by his life in Walden. In the words of Wayne, " Henry David Thoreau sought to separate himself from what he and other Transcendentalists saw as the increasing materialism and commercialism guiding antebellum American life" (Wayne). This statement comes at the beginning of her criticism, and I feel that it really sets the tone well for what is to come of her ideals.

One broad topic in which Wayne discusses is Thoreau's use of microcosm when describing some places in nature that he observes. At point, he spies two large ants fighting in front of him. Thoreau then goes on to compare this epic battle of sorts to many important and historic battles in American history such as Bunker Hill (Thoreau 216-218). Through situations and experiences had by Thoreau such as this, he found that many universal truths could be drawn from nature (Wayne). Ultimately, Thoreau's general goal in life as a writer was to record and understand every fundamental part of nature which is his true distinguishing factor from other Transcendentalists (Wayne). However, because of certain situations in which he observed a microcosm like this one about the ants, one is able to infer that Thoreau's goals were all but given up on. Wayne goes on to state that Thoreau eventually accepted that nature in its entirety could not be explained (Wayne). I think this is because Thoreau slowly realized throughout his two years that nature in its entirety is very humbling. Wayne also indirectly reveals much about Thoreau's personality while in the woods. The reader can infer that Thoreau is portrayed as somewhat of a happy-go-lucky writer traveling into the wilderness in an attempt to escape society, but while there, he becomes much more wise and gains much more perspective on the society and civilization around him because of his microcosmic observations.

Another subject that Wayne discusses in her criticism is her opinion and contradiction to many modern critics' thoughts as to why Thoreau took this trip in the first place and the question of its "authenticity." Wayne clearly states that she does not believe Thoreau occasionally traveled into the city because he was some sort of "phony," and he was not rejecting and secluding himself from society and civilization, but he still felt it necessary to keep in close contact with his friends and family and gather supplies as needed (Wayne). The reader can tell that Wayne is outraged by the fact that many critics today believe Thoreau embarked on this voyage for all the wrong reason. Wayne then goes on to explain some of the instances in which Thoreau did in fact leave Walden Pond to visit the city. In one of these trips, Thoreau is stopped and arrested by the police for evading the poll tax. Thus is the basis for Thoreau's work titled "Civil Disobedience" (Thoreau 222-227). To sum up Wayne's thoughts on this subject, Thoreau had no intent of completely ignoring civilization, but he simply wanted a secluded area in nature for his deep contemplation and writing (Wayne). Personally, I think that Wayne provides a persuasive argument, and I believe in her thoughts on Thoreau's character.

Works Cited

Thoreau, Henry D. "Civil Disobedience." American Literature. Comp. Jeffory Willhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 222-27. Print.

Thoreau, Henry David. “Walden” In American Literature. Willhelm, Jeffory, comp. McGraw Hill. Columbus, 2009. Print.

Wayne, Tiffany K. "Walden." Encyclopedia of Transcendentalism. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= ETRA402&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 17, 2010).