Comparing Thoreau And Ralph Waldo Emerson

Author, Henry David Thoreau and Mary Oliver are both very passionate about nature and what it has to offer in life, as well as the symbolism behind nature and its creatures in their works of literature, in “Walden”, and “The House of Light”, Both authors discuss their views of nature and the beauty of the world that they want to make familiar to their audience. In this essay, I’ll provide my reasoning behind this statement.

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were the giants during the 19th century American Transcendentalism movement. Their influential work brought upon shared beliefs on concerning spiritual perspectives, government interference, and the ideology of cultural values in American society. Nature has a multitude of meaning if looked at it from all angles, but deeper within nature is the reflection of what you exert while in it. However they agree on the human condition, the two authors speak with different tones that reflect how nature affects the entirety of man’s spirit. While both Emerson and Thoreau practice the spirit of the human condition, Emerson focused his energy on how “[nature’s] philosophical import [is]…unchanged by man” (215.) where Thoreau implied that we are “subjects of an experiment” (1051).

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau contributed greatly to the American society. First of all, Ralph Waldo Emerson pushed the idea of thinking for oneself, instead of falling into the norm of society and other people’s ideas. Emerson insists on learning by individual experience and not what you learn in textbook. In his essay “Self-Reliance”, this idea is evident in the quote “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude” (1337). Emerson shows that it is important, even when everyone else is thinking the same way that you create and persist your individualism and

In many works of literature, authors express their viewpoints on society and times in which they live. In the essay “Self Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the book Walden by Henry David Thoreau, the authors speak out against conformity and materialism in society. Both were romanticism authors during the 1800s. They focused on simplicity and individuality. Both writings can advise teenagers today on the importance of non-conformity and the value of rejecting materialism.

“Walden”Thoreau by was published around 1854, during the reign of the transcendentalism.In order to prove his claims, he "went into the woods" and lived as simply and as inexpensively as he encouraged others to do.In “Walden”, Thoreaus argument is that people with complex and unhappy lives should live more simple lives and have what is necessary insted of living a lifestyle dependent on material possessions.In “Walden”,Thoreau for example says “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life . . . and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not livermore”.By making these assertions Thoreau explicitly shows through his actions that you should depend on yourself and not technology.Under these circumstances with the rapidly changing technology of his time,like the train, Thoreau saw these advancements as things that hindered society from seeing what the real problems where.

“Dance to the beat of your own drummer:'; A piece of advice that I have been told my whole life, and have tried my hardest to follow. The words were taken from Thoreau’s quote, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.';

King and Thoreau both advocate for the right to disobey authority if there is an injustice done to them. This is the common theme between both documents, and it shows that even 100 years apart, ideologies of two different men are still comparable. Clearly, time hasn’t changed much in regards to the government, and people still feel the need to rebel against power. The most obvious similarity between the two documents is their overall themes.

Henry David Thoreau, a nineteenth century naturalist, wrote about his two-year experience of living a separate, simplified life in a small cabin in Concord, Massachusetts. Although Thoreau is seen as a man who would not interfere with nature, he developed his home in the woods. Building his cabin, cultivating a garden, and fishing in Walden Pond, Thoreau took advantage of his natural surroundings. Thoreau also had a great passion for books and described reading as a “noble exercise”. In his essay, Walden, he wrote, “My residence was more favorable, not only to thought, but to serious reading, than a university...I kept Homer’s Iliad on my table through the summer”. Thoreau enjoyed nature more fully when it was combined with some human interventions: a small cabin, a fishing pole, some books, and so forth. While some human interventions facilitate consistent, lasting involvement, others create the capability for unique, ephemeral experiences with

Thoreau’s essay explained why he decided to live in the woods for the rest of his life: life needs to be more simple. Thoreau proposes that people should rely on themselves instead of complicating their lives.. Emerson and Thoreau used specific language styles and moods in metaphors to construct an effective metaphor that in turn constructed a valid argument on how society relies too heavily on technology instead of being self-reliant. Ralph Waldo Emerson writes about societies frequently overused support from technology using metaphors.

Again in Walden, Thoreau wrote, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately” [1854]. It is quite strange that Thoreau had chosen to live in woods purposely. Perhaps one reason can be that he is a transcendentalist but one must not forget that he had discovered about the Walden Pond when he was deliberately living in the woods. However, another possible explanation can be that woods are not dominated or are controlled by anyone, nature lives freely in world. Therefore, a reader can

He wants each individual to recognize that they are full of power, but it depends on how they use it in order for it to be a noble, great deed and result in making them a human being or not. You may have a lot of power, but use it in a wrong way; therefore making yourself less of a human than you could accomplish if you put that power toward humility. Emerson says about work on the other hand, that God worked hard to make each and everyone one of us and he did not work that hard to create coward and lazy citizens. “A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise, shall give him no peace.” What he is saying is that everyone should do their best and work their hardest

This conflict becomes the warped and demonic idea of a man willing to take on

Emerson and Thoreau Compare and Contrast Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement in the late 1820s, which was a protest against the general state of intellectualism and spirituality. There were two well-known people that were a part of this philosophical movement, their names were Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Both of them expanded and had a major impact on Transcendentalism. Emerson and Thoreau both believe in the aspects of simplicity and our imagination. First, is the similarities that Emerson and Thoreau both had, in their views on the aspects of simplicity and our imagination.

Emerson and Thoreau hand us a metaphorical machete to clear out the disgruntling weeds that plague our minds. These weeds sprouted from our usage of technology blocking us from the insight nature provides. People today need to see that “all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to influence” (Emerson, Nature, Chapter 1). This pertains to the idea that if we just take the time to embrace nature, to embrace Emerson’s idea we will find that there is more to life than technology and what it can do for us. It will make a lasting impression that could alter your life and the way you view it. Of course with the growing times you can’t just ignore technology because technology covers our world and is embedded in everything we do; however, to just take a couple steps back from it all and let Emerson and Thoreau into your mind you will see the potential it holds. To get rid of using technology all together is preposterous, for we would not be where we are today without it. It is just to say that we need to envelop more than what it brings, but to see what our great writers can provide for us. It can be said that not experiencing all that the world has to offer you could lead a meaningless life. Thoreau felt this very same way when he said, “I wished to live life deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not

Thoreau and Emerson explored truth by isolation from society: this would promote a faster response by allowing thoughts to come and go uninterrupted. However, in my findings, I found beauty by noticing the interaction between people.As I was wandering around observing the scene, I contemplated about what a world we live in. We are currently living in a time of hate, so I explored hoping to find truth in humanity. I noticed copious amounts of beggars, asking for change or help. I was normally taught to ignore those people, but the way I perceive it, ignoring something doesn’t resolve it. So I reflected on it it more: what would it cost me to be the truth in humanity I was looking for? I reached into my pocket and pulled out two quarters, and