Henry David Thoreau ( )
I. Comments on Thoreau II. Life, Education and CareerLife, Education and Career III. Life on the Walden PondLife on the Walden Pond IV. Major WorksMajor Works
philosopher essayist poet leading transcendentalist environmental scientist I. Titles
one of the most influential figures in American thought and literature one of the major figures of the New England Renaissance a supreme individualist
sometimes cited as an individualist anarchist ( 个体至上 的无政府主义者 ) “I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government” ----Thoreau
championed the human spirit against materialism ( 物质主义 ) social conformity ( 社会常规 ) Never stopped looking into nature for ultimate truth.
III. Life on the Walden Pond
July 4, 1845 a two-year experiment in simple living moved to a small, self- built house on land owned by Emerson around the shores of Walden Pond Way of Life: DIY
The house was not in wilderness but at the edge of town, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from his family home.
While at Walden, Thoreau did an incredible amount of reading and writing, yet he also spent much time “sauntering” in nature.
Thoreau did not intend to live as a hermit. Thoreau regarded his sojourn at Walden as a noble experiment with a threefold purpose.
First, to find the true meaning of life and to escape the dehumanizing effects of the Industrial Revolution by returning to a simpler, agrarian lifestyle
Second, he was simplifying his life reducing his expenditures increasing the amount of leisure time to read and write
Third, he was putting into practice the Transcendentalist belief that one can best transcend normality experience the Ideal, or the Divine through nature
Thoreau’s other goals: simplicity self-reliance the whole project was inspired by transcendentalist philosophy
After two years and two months, Thoreau completed his experiment in living & his book returned to Concord
Unfortunately, few people were interested in purchasing his book He spent the next nine years, surveying writing and rewriting (creating seven full drafts) Walden before trying to publish it.
He supported himself by surveying and making a few lectures, often on his experience at Walden pond.
Many readers mistake Henry's tone in Walden and other works, thinking he was a cranky hermit. That was far from the case. He found greater joy in his daily life than most people ever would.
He opposed the govern- ment for waging the Mexican war (to extend slavery) eloquently in “Resistance to Civil Government”, based on his brief experience in jail. Later Life
he lectured against slavery in an abolitionist lecture, Slavery in Massachusetts. He even supported John Brown’s efforts to end slavery after meeting him in Concord, as in A Plea for Captain John Brown.
Aware he was dying, Thoreau's last words were “Now comes good sailing”, followed by two lone words, “moose” and “Indian”. Died of tuberculosis on May 6, 1862 at age 44 Emerson wrote the eulogy spoken at his funeral.
1. Walden; or, Life in the Woods, 《瓦尔登，或林中生 活》, 1854 2. Civil Disobedience,1849
1. 1. Walden; or, Life in the Woods (1) (1) Introduction (2) (2) Major Themes
(1) (1) introduction It details Thoreau’s sojourn in the cabin near Walden Pond. one of the best-known non- fiction books written by an American.
(2) (2) Major Themes Unity self-reliance solitude contemplation closeness to nature
a. a. Unity According to Thoreau's transcendentalist philosophy, nature, humanity, and God are unified. God is also immanent-present in every raindrop, blade of grass, and animal as well as in every human being.
Further, one of the best ways for human beings to experience their own unity with God is to observe nature.
b. b. The Importance of Self-Reliance Ralph Waldo Emerson his great teacher and role model who wrote an enormously influential essay entitled “Self-Reliance” ( 《论自立》 )
Thoreau’s experiment is meant to put self-reliance into practice.
c. c. The Value of Simplicity Simplicity is more than a mode of life for Thoreau; it is a philosophical ideal as well. For Thoreau, anything more than what is useful is an extravagance a real impediment and disadvantage
“Most of the luxuries and many of the so- called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.” — Thoreau
d. d. Nature Human should respect and reside closely in nature.
2. 2. Civil Disobedience (1849) (1) (1) introduction (2) (2) Type of Work (3) (3) Publication (4) (4) Themes
(1) (1) introduction 《非暴力反抗；温和抵抗；论公 民有不服从（政府）之权利》 originally titled “Resistance to Civil Government” one of the primary methods of nonviolent resistance.
(2) (2) Type of Work an essay that attempts to persuade readers to oppose unjust government policies in general and the Mexican War and the institution of slavery in particular.
(3) (3) Publication presented as a lecture in 1848 published in 1849 under the title “Resistance to Civil Government” published in 1866 under the title “Civil Disobedience”, four years after Thoreau died
(4) (4) Themes a. Citizens of good conscience should actively oppose unjust government policies through nonviolent resistance, such as refusal to pay taxes.
b. Slavery is an evil institution that must be abolished. c. The Mexican War is an unjust conflict because it is being fought to acquire new territory in which to establish slavery.
d. Talk means little unless action backs it up. Saying you are against an unjust government policy does nothing to eliminate that policy.
e. Citizens must oppose efforts by groups that promote their own selfish interests at the expense of morality ethics individual rights
the active refusal to obey certain laws, demands and commands of a government an occupying power without resorting to physical violence.
Henry David Thoreau pioneered the modern theory behind this practice in his 1849 essay Civil Disobedience.