Walden Mind Mapping Notes

Walden Mind Mapping Notes

1. Chapter 1

   • Part 1
     • The narrator states that he wrote most of the book while living in the woods by Walden (in Massachusetts) in a house that he built
       • He lived here around two years and earned his living on his own work
       • Many townspeople questioned and judged his way of life. He says that he will answer those questions and clarifies that this shall be first person
         • This book is written mainly for poor students
           • He explains some of his views on what he does not like about society
         • He pities those who are born into society and bound by their land, "born digging their graves"
           • He says this is a fools life and states in Latin how amazing our bodies are and how the pointless labors of life keep us from true integrity and joy. Relations to men, etc. He calls all men of society "machines"
             • He critiques the people reading because they all take debts and don't properly pay them. He compares this living to slavery, and says in a society you are the slave driver of yourself.
               • He says men live in a desperation, that there is no enjoyment because work is required. Men seem to think that there is no other way than that which is common, and clarifies that ideas change with time. He claims that you can do what you want.
                 • He claims that old people have no valuable advice because age does not bring wisdom, and he very arrogantly states that he is wiser than them knowing that.
           • Thoreau makes the statement that man has no limits but his own willingness to try
             • Nature and human life seem most various and valuable to Thoreau, and he even praises some of what science says about how there once were planets.
               • Thoreau says nature is built for us, and that people use religion to say that there is no changing the way life is
             • Thoreau makes sure to clarify that one of the most important parts of living in nature, out of society, is to find out that what is necessary for life. He says that it is food and shelter for animals, but so much more for the societal man.
               • He sights Darwin, stating that in cold weather we simply need to eat to heat our bodies and that the opposite applies for hot weather, and he uses a fire and oven analogy for this. He clarifies that warmth is our grand necessity.
                 • He explains that the rich man is "too hot" and therefore "cooked"
   • Part 2
     • Thoreau is outrageously saying that luxuries are detrimental to people and states that some of the wisest people in history are those of "voluntary poverty"
       • He explains that philosophy is meant to simplify life and solve problems, but that most current philosophers conform and mentions once more that luxury destroys nations
         • He claims that man, to be clever philosophically, must have better methods to achieve their needs than to rely on other men
         • Thoreau wants to live in the present. he lost a hound and a horse, he tells, and describes how he asked people for help to find them.
           • Thoreau used to take the job of a sort of surveyor on the subjects of nature and meteorology. He never got the promotion that he wanted.
             • Thoreau brings up a story about an Indian salesman to explain that one thing is no better than the same thing sold by another. If it is not worthwhile, who should want it?
             • He explains that his philosophy with business is to be in charge of everything and keep informed of everything