Walden - Reading Journal 2

In this section of Walden, Thoreau is describing his daily life. He starts his discussion by talking about the visitors he gets. He claims that his visitors are much higher quality because they actually have to want to come see him since he's out of the way. Also, he welcomes all visitors, especially run-away slaves, as long as they are not beggars. Following his excerpt about visitors, Thoreau discusses his bean-field. Apparently, he has found much evidence that there were natives living on his land before him. Although Thoreau, also, gives many tips about farming, the most important thing to take from this part is that he farms not for the food, but simply because he enjoys it. The way he describes it make it seem as if the bean-field purifies him. Despite Thoreau moving on to talking about places to visit and not his own life, he manages to brag quite a bit about his abilities. He first talks about visiting villages. He tells us that he hikes to Concord, but somehow manages to talk very little about actually being in Concord. Instead, Thoreau discusses being lost. He claims it allows you to understand yourself. Thoreau also talks about visiting the Walden Pond. He explains that it isn't the greatest pond, but its variation in colors calms him and makes him a better person, as it seems all of nature does for him. Thoreau seems to have made this book with a theme and or purpose. He's always advocating for everyone getting closer to nature. Even though he is a transcendentalist, he seems a little extreme. Like every sentence is trying to get me to go out camping. I guess I never really realized how powerful this movement was and judging by its popularity in this time period, its what the people wanted.

Reading Journal 1 - Walden

Thoreau begins his book telling the reader of his experiment. His experiment is to reconnect to nature by moving into the woods alone. Although he admits to not going far from town, he explains how people seem worried for him. He also confirms that this is not intended to be permanent. He later goes on to describe his cabin and why he picked that cabin. He claims that the less there is in the cabin the more open he is to nature. He also comes to realize the faults in society. He says we need to turn to nature and instinct to answer our questions and to stop the businesses from taking over. He finishes this part of the book with a reassuring discussion about animal sounds and how they comfort him. Although there are some truths to his assertions, Thoreau's idea of nature purifying humanity is incorrect. Although our society destroys nature to create cities, they don't stop us from realizing our full potential. Plenty of people have come to realize the truths of society through living in cities. There is no need for there to be a sudden rush to the woods because we can already accomplish everything we need to in cities. No one is directly benefitted by their own movement to the woods.