Chapter 11: Higher Laws

Chapter 11: Higher Laws

1. Spirit vs. Savagery

   • Thoreau begins the chapter by saying how, when he passed by a woodchuck, he wanted to kill it. He then goes on to say how he found that in him there is both a spiritual side and savage one, both of which he respects.He then says how he believes that eating animals is unclean, spiritually speaking, and does not fulfill his soul. He then goes a step further to say that any man who feeds on animals are low. He, of course, then makes 'suggestions' as to how everyone should live. He says that people should only drink water. He also says , oddly enough, that boys should be taught to shoot. He explains how it should not be used for hunting, rather for sports, so that they would be on their way to becoming intelligent men.
   • He then continues and says that food is not what corrupts a man, it is how much he consumes of it. He believes that the savage part of us can overshadow the intellectual parts of a man. By controlling this part of us, we would have the ability to talk to god and protect ourselves (from obesity).