Chapter 15: Winter Animals

Chapter 15: Winter Animals

1. Sounds of the Winter

   • The sounds that the animals make (specifically the owls) are peaceful yet sad for Thoreau to hear.
   • Other animals such as geese, possessed a more harsh or annoying sounding voice, which Thoreau seems to mock.
     • The winter is a very dark season filled with scary snowstorms, so these animals only add to that fear.

2. The Actions of Animals

   • Most of the animals wander about, simply enjoying their life in the woods.
   • Thoreau observes the squirrels a lot because they are such shy and isolated creatures.
     • Sometimes the jays arrive and steal the squirrels food, so Thoreau does not like these animals as much.
       • This relates to humans, and how some tend to be more selfish than others, and take what they have worked hard for.
   • The animals have become a lot closer to Thoreau, and he has been more welcoming to the animals at his home.

3. Hunters in the Woods

   • Thoreau recounts many instances where he has met a hunter preying on the foxes in the areas.
     • Normally the hunters will kill the foxes, which is extremely sad for the other foxes in the area.
     • When Thoreau travels through the forest, foxes show signs of fear towards him, showing that they are just as afraid of humans as we are of them.
   • Sometimes the hunters in the area will be surprised to find Thoreau in the middle of nowhere instead of the animals.
     • This shows that once someone does something new, everyone assumes it is odd because we lack individuality.

4. Animals in Thoreau's Home

   • Due to the change of weather, there was an increase in the amount of animals Thoreau would see both inside and around his home.
     • It must make him happy to realize that animals, one of nature’s greatest gifts, feel extremely comfortable around him.
   • Thoreau believes that people need to become more comfortable around animals, especially those that may seem vicious.
     • Animals are only violent because we threaten their safety by disrespecting nature.