Chapter 18, "Conclusions"

Chapter 18, "Conclusions"

1. In this chapter, Thoreau has left Walden and is giving his reader advice

   • Either revisiting important advice he's already said or mentioning new points

2. The universe is too big for man to be constricted

   • Thoreau calls for men to explore their nearby surroundings to refresh their mind and renew their thoughts
   • He also shames those who travel far and escape their lives rather than be alone and address it

3. Mirabeau's unnecessary choice

   • Became a robber in order to oppose society
   • Thoreau believes that it is easy to break society's rules for the sake of it. However, a true nonconformist is one that disobeys society in order to obey his own rules

4. Why leave the woods?

   • Thoreau left because he has more lives to live
     • This relates to Thoreau's love for exploration
     • Through following his impulses, Thoreau becomes more fulfilled

5. Simplicity

   • When man simplifies his own life, the whole universe will seem simple
     • Solitude and voluntary poverty reward him
       • He then becomes an intellectual

6. Common sense is the sense of men asleep

7. Are modern intellectuals dwarfs once compared to ancients?

   • Whatever the answer may be, it is irrelevant because men must live their own lives without comparison to others
     • This is great advice that will forever be valuable. The habit of comparison is a trait that kills
   • Self- reliance is more valuable because it has it's has the ability to free the soul while comparison imprisons the soul

8. Parable of the artist

   • This artist spent so much time on perfecting one staff and he did not consider time and forever had a youthful soul
     • Nonconformity is immortality
   • He did not compromise with time so time did not compromsie with him
     • Once he stepped back, he realized that his staff is one of the most beautiful creations to exist
       • From this, we can learn to be concerned with only our path and pursue it because then we will reach our greatest potential

9. Regardless of your situation, be thankful

   • Thoreau tells the reader to not insult his life nor take it for granted
   • The poor are some of the most self-reliant individuals
     • Independence and an intellectual mind are the most important traits, therefore one should dismiss all concerns regarding society
     • They have a greater chance of living to a higher exercise because they can't be distracted with materialistic possesions

10. "The life in us is like the water in the river."

    • Through this simile, Thoreau wants the reader to understand that any moment can be the one where your best life begins
      • Therefore you should always have an optimistic attitude and inherit all that your life offers, whether it is good or bad
    • He also wants to remind us to strive for the renewal of ourselves
      • When renewed, a person's opportunities are endless