Walden Chapter 1: Economy

Walden Chapter 1: Economy

1. Beliefs

   • believed that people are more concerned with materialistic objects on Earth that they forget about their spirituality
   • people only need the essentials to live: Food, shelter, clothing, and fuel for not till we have secured these are we prepared to entertain the true problems of life
   • beliefs tie in with the Transcendentalism idea of self-reliance as he believed people should rely on themselves. Proves this by replying on his own labor and building a home for himself.

2. Background

   • Before being isolated from society, Thoreau worked many jobs such as a self-appointed inspector of rain/snow, a highway serveyor, a herdsmen, and a reporter

3. Walden Pond

   • Finances
     • several trades and earned $13.34
       • concluded that he would have to work 6 weeks out of the year to live the way he wants
     • house total: $28.12 1/2 to build
     • in farming, after an investment of fifteen dollars Thoreau was able to turn a profit to nine dollars. Lived on a diet of beans, corns, peas, and potatoes giving the prices of each as well
   • for two years and two months, Thoreau lives alone in the woods. While living by Walden Pond, he wrote about his experiences in a book
     • Did not choose to live in the woods just for isolation. "Good place for business"
     • believed that society's habit of building luxurious homes is just a symptom of their spiritual deprivation. Decided to live a life of simplicity by making his own food and building only necessary furniture

4. Necessities

   • Argues that having an excess of luxuries such as fancy homes, foods and clothing is useless even though it is prioritized by society
   • people used clothes as a way to determine social power. Clothes are an immaterial thing and should not be used to represent wealth and a person's worth
   • there is no need for a large extravagant home as they are a cause of debt. a person can live of a small shelter which is more practical and not expenisve