Effects Of Isolation In Walden

The effects of isolation and solitude on people can have considerable outcomes. A change in behavior, an ignorance to civility, and a lack of fundamental human needs are present in those who either choose to isolate themselves, or those who have no say in the matter. However, does the choice of solitary isolation make them a changed person, and does the factor of initial choice decide whether their attempts are successful or not? Perceval’s mother decided, after experiencing death and loss, to raise Perceval in the forest, leading him to be ignorant of arms and chivalry. Contrastingly, in Thoreau’s Walden, after living in civilization for 28 years, Thoreau decided to reconnect with his internal self by living at Walden Pond for two years. Both

He yearned for more. This want eventually took over all that he knew, and led him astray into civilization and, soon after, knighthood. On the other hand, Thoreau was successful in his attempts at isolation and solitude because he had lived in civilization and had decided, based on what he experienced, that he needed time away from it all. He made the decision to remove himself in order to come to terms with the nature of life. The differences between the two individuals is the matter of choice. Perceval did not make the initial choice to live in isolation whereas Thoreau, after living in civilization, decided to take a step back and really get in touch with his inner natural self. The reason Perceval wasn’t successful was because there was a big piece missing in his life. He was exposed to what knights were ever since he began living in the woods, but because he didn’t know enough about them to understand, there was a deep resounding yearning for

Successfulness of the attempts of isolation depend upon the matter of choice and reason. If there’s no reason to be away, and there was no choice in the matter, the odds of a successful attempt at isolation and solitude is rare. Perceval had no choice living out in the woods, and he was given a very good reason to go back to civilized life after meeting the knights. In this, Perceval was unsuccessful. Contrastingly, in Thoreau’s Walden, Thoreau had lived in civilized life and knew what it had to offer. He made the choice to go live on his own at Walden Pond in complete isolation. He also had a reason to do so; he wanted and needed to reconnect with his natural self. In this case, Thoreau was successful. Choice and reason make all the difference when it comes to most situations in life. Given the choice to do something, and the reasons behind doing so affect whether the attempts are