Walden: Chapter 18 Notes

Walden: Chapter 18 Notes

1. Plot

   • Analysis
   • Thoreau opens up his final chapter with explaining that some doctors recommend a change of air and scenery when sick. Thoreau discusses birds at Walden Pond and how the mocking-bird isn't heard. Thoreau says that the bison keeps pace with the seasons until a greener grass awaits him. Thoreau than claims that the universe is wider than our views of it.
     • Thoreau thinks that we should look at the "tafferel" of our craft and we should make our journeys less like sailors destroying their own ships. Voyaging is one circle and the other side of the globe is still the home of our correspondents. Thoreau remarks how men travel the world to chase things they were never meant to hunt. Thoreau directs the reader to travel their mind first and not focus on other animals and creatures. In other words, we should understand ourselves more.
       • Thoreau begins to ask a series of rhetorical questions about the globe and he urges the reader to open up channels and countries in their mind like Columbus. Thoreau criticizes patriots because he thinks that they care about their land but make no sympathy for the spirit of the land.
         • Again, Thoreau stressed how the reader should care more about exploring their own minds and ensuring that they know who they are fully before they can explore the actual word. Thoreau is non-conforming in this section since he criticizes patriots and tells the reader how they care more about the idea of the land and property rather than the actual land itself.
         • Thoreau has more of God while society has more of the road. Thoreau claims that it is not worth it to go around the world and conform to the customs of all nations. He claims that only the defeated and deserters go to war while the cowards run away and enlist. He does not want the reader to go the "western way" but not to pause at any countries like China or Japan or bodies of water like the Pacific or the Mississippi.
           • The solider who does not fight in the ranks does not require half the courage as a foot-pad. Thoreau comments on the military and the army and how different people view enlisting as manly.
             • Thoreau is leaving the woods for the same reason that he came to the woods. He has more lives that he wants to live. Even though Thoreau has not lives at Walden Pond for long, he has made a physical impression in the pond. Thoreau notes how the surface of the earth is very soft and impressible by the feet of men. Thoreau does not want to take a cabin passage nor does he want to go below the mountains.
               • Thoreau does not have a hard time leaving Walden Pond because he wants to experience more in life. He enjoyed his experience at Walden Pond but he thinks it is time to move on. Thoreau views his life at Walden pond as an experience that he does not want to hold him back from other experiences. When Thoreau notes that the earth is soft he tells the reader that it is easy to make an impression on the world if you try hard enough.
               • Thoreau learned that when someone confidently pursues their dreams they will be successful. If someone puts some things behind them, crosses boundaries and other requirements they can live higher than other. The laws of the universe will appear less complex and building the foundation to this success is important.
                 • Thoreau wants to speak somewhere without bound and he urges the reader to live quite laxly and undefined in front of our outlines. Thoreau thinks that our shadows reveal an insensible perspiration toward the sun. Thoreau also claims that the words that express our faith are not definite yet they are significant.
                   • Thoreau comments on society's common sense. He does not understand why we dull down our wisdom and knowledge and praise ourselves for it. The blue color of the Walden ice show its purity. Thoreau remarks that a living dog is better than a dead lion and that it's important that everyone minds their own business.
                     • Thoreau asks why men are in such haste to succeed. He then comments that everyone should march to the beet of their own drum and that we should not measure how fast we grow.
                       • Thoreau then reflects on an artist he in Kouroo. This artist tried to make a staff and time was the most important ingredient. He searched for wood and his friends left him because they grew old and died but he did not age. The city begins to turn to ruins but he finally finds a stick and begins to polish and decorate it. Brahma has awoken. Fairer dynasties took over and the artist was able to please Brahma and time had become an illusion.
                         • Why doesn't the artist age and why is the purpose of this story? What does Thoreau want to teach the reader with this story?
                         • The truth is the most important trait to help us advance in the universe. Any truth is better than make-believe and Thoreau tells the reader of an important quote from a tinker who claimed that it is important to make a knot in your thread before you stitch it.
                           • Thoreau tells the reader that their life is important no matter how hard it gets we should not shun it. You can still have amazing memories even in a poor house. Thoreau then remarks that pessimists will find issues even in paradise. Thoreau then says that we should not trouble ourselves finding new friends or clothes, we should sell our clothes and keep our thoughts. Thoreau stresses the important's of our own individual thoughts.
                             • If you are restricted in your range by poverty and you can't buy books and newspapers than you are confined to the most vital experiences. Life near the bone is the sweetest and Thoreau claims that unnecessary wealth will only buy unnecessary things. Money is not needed to buy the needs of the soul.
                               • Thoreau reflects on dinner parties and how dinner parties always lead to people discussing their travels. He does not want to go to these events because he would rather walk with the Builder of the universe. Thoreau questions why men are celebrating. He claims that God is the only president and that everything has a bottom. Only work until you will wake up the next day satisfied with your work.
                                 • Thoreau prefers the truth over love, money, and fame. He has sat at tables with rich food and wine but there was no sincerity so we went away hungry. Thoreau stresses manners and how a man who lived in a hollow tree had more care than others.
                                   • Thoreau notes that no one reading has lives a full human life. He reflects on how much of the world and life there is to experience and everyone is still young. Thoreau compares himself to a human insect and is reminded of the greater Benefactor and intelligence that stands over him.
                                     • Thoreau wonders why there is so much novelty in the world but we accept dullness in our lives. Thoreau reflects on the United States and Britain. Thoreau then compares life to a river. He notes that the rivers or our lives can make remarkable highs. Thoreau claims that after hearing his words, the reader should feel stronger about their faith. Thoreau ends his novel by saying that the average person will not understand his words but it does not matter since a new day is approaching and the sun is a morning star.
                                       • Thoreau criticizes society again because society accepts lesser than what they have access to. His metaphor about life highlights how life has highs and lows and can change quickly. Thoreau again criticizes humans saying that the average person will not understand what he saying. However, since a new day is approaching it does not matter to him.
                                     • Thoreau discusses how vast the human life is because he no one has lives a full life until they have died. Thoreau then compares himself to a human insect because he wants the reader to understand that he thinks there is a higher power. Compared to a higher power, humans can be seen as mere insects.
                                   • Thoreau again shows how he values the truth over everything else. Thoreau also notes how anyone can have manners.
                                 • Thoreau is showing non-conformity here since he does not like to attend dinner parties. He does not conform to them. Thoreau also criticizes how people are always celebrating because he thinks that there is always more to life so there is no need to celebrate something that is not complete. By saying that everything has a bottom, he is saying that everything has an end.
                               • When he says that he wants society to live near the bone it means that he wants everyone to be closer to their true selves because it makes life more sweet. Thoreau also criticizes wealth claiming that being rich will only but unneeded things. He does not think that money has a purpose showing how he does not conform.
                             • Thoreau stresses the importance of the value of life and how it is too valuable to ever let it go. Thoreau also is an optimist in this section because he tells the reader that regardless of their situation they still can live a nice life. Thoreau also criticizes pessimists by saying that they will find something wrong in any situation. Thoreau stresses non-conformity as well by discussing the importance of our individual thoughts and how important they are. Thoreau does not conform to society because he does not find value in clothes but rather thoughts.
                           • Thoreau emphasizes in this section how important truth is. He claims that the truth, even if it is bad, is better than any lie of a perfect life. Thoreau also notes that the most important step is the first step.
                       • Thoreau highlights the traits of non-conformity and self-reliance. He does not conform to society by stating that he does not agree with the life style of some men who only care about making success in life. He then reflects on self-reliance and how everyone should take life at their own pace and not to follow what other people do which is also non-conformity.
                     • Thoreau again shows non-conformity because he criticizes how society praises common sense. When people are praised for common sense, they are loosing a desire for a higher level education. When Thoreau discusses the blue ice of Walden Pond he reminds the reader how he is isolated because since the water is blue, its clean showing how not many people have explored the pond or polluted it. Thoreau also expresses how he values life because even though a fierce lion is strong, the lion has no value if it is dead while the weak dog has more value if its alive. Then, Thoreau shows self-reliance because he minds his own business and advices the reader to do the same.
                   • Thoreau discusses the Transcendentalist trait of non-conformity. He does not want to conform to rules that force him to speak with limits. His novel is a way of him speaking without bounds like how he wants. Thoreau then notes how our shadows are afraid of the sun because our shadows always hide from the sun and if sunlight reaches the shadow, they will disappear. Finally, Thoreau discusses how the words that define are fight are not final but significant. This means that he thinks that our destiny can always be changed and that we have free-will in life. Even though we can change our fate, it is still important to know what the universe has in store for us.
                 • Thoreau tells the reader how important it is to pursue their dreams because it will be the cause of their success. He also stresses that you must make sacrifices in order to obtain these goals. Once you achieve this success you must build the foundations of it as well to keep it sturdy and stable.
             • Thoreau tells the reader that you should fight for what you want and try to earn the highest reward. Is Thoreau's comments on war him trying to advocate for peace and anti-war?
           • Thoreau presents the transcendentalists trait of non-conformity by telling the readers not to conform to other people's culture when they travel. Thoreau also tells the reader how war is not good for society by claiming that some people only go to war when they feel that they already have lost at life. Additionally, Thoreau advises the reader to keep pursuing their dreams but not to make any stops.
       • Since the tafferel is the front part of a ship, Thoreau is telling the reader to look forward in life. Throeau also explains how even though people are on the other side of the globe, we all live on the same planet and it is still our home regardless. Thoreau also stresses self-reliance in this chapter because he wants the reader to look inward and explain their minds first before they look outward and explore the world.
     • Thoreau tells the reader that he is alone at Walden pond because he does not hear any birds. It's a way to remind the reader that he is self-reliant and isolated. Thoreau tells the reader about how Bison leave their home once they see more green and healthy grass and Thoreau left society because he saw an opportunity in Walden pond. This is how he also highlights the importance of nature.

2. Style

   • Thoreau's writing style is formal and contains long sentences. His writing is dense.
   • The tone of the story is very formal and informational. Thoreau wants the readers to have some sort of self-realization after reading this chapter.
   • Majority of the chapter is filled with metaphors and reflections. The metaphors usually connect with nature and the emotion of realization.

3. Transcendentalist philosophy

   • Thoreau has thinks freely in this chapter. He openly criticizes society and its rule. He tells the reader to follow their own thoughts and keep them close to themselves showing how Thoreau values free-thought.
   • Thoreau stresses non-conformity in this chapter because he constantly criticizes society and its rules. For example, he does not enjoy going to dinner parties and he thinks that everyone should work at their own pace. He also left society and lived at Walden Pond because he wanted to escape from society.
   • Thoreau is self-reliant in this chapter. He does not rely on society and he is completely isolated in his cabin. Thoreau believes that individual virtue and happiness depend on himself. He also said that everyone in society should march to the beat of their own dreams which means that everyone should work at their own pace. This shows how Thoreau thinks that everyone should be self-reliant on themselves.
   • In this chapter, Thoreau is confident. He is confident in his ability to create happiness for himself and he is also confident about his views on society since we openly tells his readers about them. Thoreau desires to withdraw himself and remain unique and separate.
   • Thoreau values nature by rejected civilized society. Thoreau constantly tells his reader to get rid of their fancy clothes and stop being civilized showing how Thoreau values nature. Everything that makes up the world is nature according to Thoreau. Thoreau also compares life to different parts of nature showing how he thinks nature is important and valued.