Spring

Spring

1. Walden melts slower than the other ponds because of its greater depth and not having a stream passing through it to melt the ice

   • Could be referencing his later statement that people shouldn't overcomplicate life and try to focus on the present
     • More depth = More worries, Less depth = Less worries

2. In midwinter the middle of the pond is the warmest but otherwise the shore is warmest

   • Close observer

3. The day is the epitome of the year

   • Important vocab

4. Observing the transition to spring was one of the attractions of life in the woods, for Thoreau

   • What made Thoreau very attracted to spring is its religious value in his belief (people forgiven)

5. Even a man educated about nature gets surprised by the sound of the breaking of ice

   • References his later idea that we can never get enough from Nature

6. Observing the shapes formed by sand streams were particularly interesting to Thoreau because they imitate the shape of other things in life

   • We can learn from Nature, it can give us ideas on how things work, for example airplane designs are influenced from the structures of biological species like birds and fish

7. Thoreau likes to observe the living changes of the Earth, unlike how geologists view the Earth

   • Kinda points to his idea about forgetting the past because the stratums of Earth could be a symbol of past actions

8. People seek Nature to relax

   • It's hard to be convinced so until a person is open to it and actually tries it

9. Walden was dead in the winter and was rebirthed in the spring

   • Like how sinners are rejuvenated when their sins are forgiven each spring

10. "Every season seems best to us in its turn"

    • People are naturally ungrateful

11. Thoreau emphasizes on positive mentalities

    • Life has struggles, we need to live with it and focus on the positive sides

12. Sins are forgiven every spring and each day

    • similar to "the day is the epitome of the year"

13. People need have to have a realistic view of life, it is not perfect, things that disheart us are part of life and people need to learn how to stay strong

14. Describes transition to summer and concludes his experience during spring