Blood, decapitated heads, and broken limbs, a battle none the less, but between whom? Henry David Thoreau describes his observations of a battle between the red ants and the black ants in extensive detail in his novel Walden. Within his account of the engagement he clearly compares it to human conflicts, notably the wars fought in the American Revolution. Through diction, allusions, and tone Thoreau criticizes society for the trivial reasons humans have gone to war. Thoreau believes that humanity is engaging in conflict that is unnecessary. He expresses that he does not know the reason behind the ant battle, but he does state, “ I have no doubt that it was a principle they fought for, as much as our ancestors, and not to avoid a three-penny