Analysis Of Henry David Thoreau's Walden

The majority of Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, is about the idea of opting out of society. In the chapter “Solitude” Thoreau describes how “[his] horizon bounded by woods all to [himself]” is beautiful and solely his. As he is enjoying nature Thoreau states, “There can be no very black melancholy to him who lives in the midst of Nature” (111). This theme of being alone and appreciating nature carries throughout the entirety of the book, all leading to the fact that Thoreau believes the best way to live would be without society. Thoreau cannot stand to pay his taxes because, “[he] did not pay a tax to, or recognize the authority of, the state which buys and sells men, women, and children” (145), leading to him being thrown in jail. Thoreau opted

On top of that, education has become very outrageous when it comes to paying tuition. Only a couple generation ago, around the 1930’s and 40’s, it was common to be able to go to class full time, still have a job, and graduate from undergraduate school, debt free. Now to a man like Thoreau, this would be wonderful when looked at from a price standpoint. He would see the education system as a profitable experience because it does not cost too much, whereas he would frown upon today’s society filled with debt. He would greatly dislike the fact that even a few generations ago, the average man would need to work to obtain an education, but at least that education is one step closer to being the enlightenment he prefers. But what if society didn’t need to work to obtain an education? Society as a whole would more likely love to learn and expand our knowledge, on topics such as, how the universe came to be or where the universe is going. These are topics that Thoreau would have thought about while at Walden pond. But in today’s society, we look at these topics as something far greater than us ourselves and it becomes daunting to think about when thought on too long. But with time to clearly