Walden: Chapter 18

Walden: Chapter 18

1. Vocab

   • obedience
     • noun
     • Compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.
     • “A saner man would have found himself often enough ‘in formal opposition’ to what are deemed ‘the most sacred of laws of society,’ through obedience to yet more sacred of laws” (Thoreau 355).
   • meanness
     • noun
     • Unkindness, spitefulness, or unfairness.
     • “The shadows of poverty and meanness gather around us, ‘and lo! creation widens to our view ‘” (Thoreau 362).

2. Summary

   • Thoreau completed his experiment living at the Walden Pond, and tells the reader of traveling around the world and correlates it with individuality.
   • He also reflects a little on his experience at the Walden Pond, and his reasons for coming to the pond and leaving it.
   • Thoreau comments upon the lifestyle of society and the way they perceive it.
     • Conformity
       • Thoreau argues for one to live their life based on their beliefs and accord, and stray away from the upper-class life that many want to conform to.
     • Individuality
       • In achieving for success, Thoreau believes that acting as an individual, rather than mimicking others, is the way to achieving true success.
     • Optimisim
       • “The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the almshouse as brightly as from the rich man’s abode” (Thoreau 361).
       • He emphasizes that we all may experience many enjoyable moments, no matter the social class we are within.

3. Analysis

   • Devices
     • Similie
       • “The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the almshouse as brightly as from the rich man’s abode” (Thoreau 361).
         • Expands on the thought of people living a good life, no matter how poor or rich they are.
     • Personification
       • “Do not seek so anxiously to be developed, to subject yourself to many influences to be played on...The shadows of poverty and meanness gather around us, ‘and lo! creation widens to our view’” (Thoreau 362).
         • Emphasizes that our own experiences are what will guide us to success, rather than the experiences of others.
   • Many of the points Thoreau make are still relevant today, predominantly his views regarding conformity, individuality, and living a full life.
   • “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer...It is not important that he should mature as soon as an apple tree or an oak” (Thoreau 358 - 359).
     • Thoreau sides more with those who act independently, favoring unique people and suggest for others to do the same.