Chapter 4: Sounds

Chapter 4: Sounds

1. Thoreau believes a man should not just be a reader but also a listener.

   • People should observe the earth being constantly alert and open to nature.
     • With his lifestyle free him from worries about laziness or time passing or what he is accomplishing.
       • Admires the minimal amount of furniture he owns.

2. Commerce

   • Nearby Thoreau's house, the railroad posses.
     • He knows of the men that work on it.
       • A daily whistle is a reminder that civilization is not far away.
         • This chapter expresses the contracting options Thoreau feels about things.
           • "Up comes the cotton down goes the woolen cloth; up comes the silk, down goes the with that writes them" (Walden 128).
             • This quote addressing the negative aspects about the railroad. For one is the destruction of wildlife and nature.
               • Not only destroying nature but hurting people's intellect. However, railroads show human advancement as well as proud necessities.

3. Nature

   • Thoreau advises that only reading book closes one off from the natural language found in the world.
     • Takes his own advice and chooses not to read the first summer he lives at Walden.
       • Explores surroundings and does a different activity everyday. From moving the furniture to sweep the floor to trying a new species of berry.
         • He also hears the sound of a train, birds chirping, and the crooks of frogs; however, he does not hear the sounds of domesticated animals and people as he is in the wild/nature.

4. He praises alertness to existence and cautions against absorption.

   • Don't be content with book learning.
   • look around and see things for ourselves.
     • not grand ideas.
   • His thoughts turn to commerce as the Fitch burg Railroad passes.
     • Fears zeal for business will ruin thoughtfulness of nation.
     • With the many noises he hears, he notes even without a rooster his home is full of the sounds of beasts.
       • Nature is creeping up to his windows.