Also, keep in mind that "Walden" is a large book, with a lot of chapters devoted to different subjects that Thoreau experiences whilst living in the woods. The portion I've assigned you is a series of excerpts from the much larger work.
To assist you, here's a general summary of the excerpts:
Thoreau, in the second chapter, "Where I Lived, and What I Lived For," talks about how he once considered buying the Hollowell farm for himself but the purchase fell through. Instead, he created a new existence for himself at Walden, where he found joy and fulfillment in nature, truly awakening in his mornings there, while most of society remains perpetually asleep, living mean lives when the possibility of a much better life is possible. The key to achieving such a life, he says, is simplicity.
In his "Conclusion," Thoreau explains he left Walden because he had many more lives to live. He urges his readers to turn inward on immense spiritual journeys of self-discovery; to find fulfillment in nature rather than riches; and to avoid conformity and live his own life as he must. He concludes with the story of a bug which emerged from the wood of a table after sixty years and hopes that human beings will likewise awaken and emerge into a new life.Now here are your response prompts:
1. Why does Thoreau believe that living in the woods will enable him to "live deep and suck all the marrow out of life"?
2. Why, according to Thoreau, are people better off being poor than wealthy?
Write a paragraph for each. Post your response and we will share these in class.
#1because the woods is the play emerson likes to be.
ReplyDelete#2because they will want to do more when their poor.
He wants to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life. He wants to live sturdily and live the people of Sparta which are the people who are simple. For some men they cant tell between god and the devil. He believes that we should live like aunts. He also believes an honest man does not need to see the obvious because he always knows whats going on. He also says that we should eat only 1 meal a day instead of three because we should reduce the porportions in our life.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Thoreau, we should be poor. If we had so much money we would be buying things that don’t make life simpler. If we are poor we can only afford one meal a day. Also he believes we should be living out in the wilderness, if someone was rich they arent used to feeling homeless and living outside. He believes that we should be living as poor individuals. That it is better for us to live outside alone.
1)When he says that he wants to "live deep and suck all the marrow out of life" it means that he wants to live life to his fullest. He wants to get everything he can get out of life to make it worth living.He believes that living in the woods will enable him to live life like he thinks it should be. The woods create a free place which makes him one with nature.
ReplyDelete2)Acording to Thoreau it is better to live life poor than to live life as a rich person. This is because when you are poor you have to work harder to get what you really want in life. If you are rich you can buy anything that you want and that will enhance your life in a way. But you want to be able to know that you lived life to the fullest. If you have money you will not see this. But, if you don't you will be able to appreciate what life gives you.
1. When Thoreau says that living in the woods will enable him to “live deep and suck all the marrow out of life”, he means that he want to live life to the fullest without all of the distractions. He wants to take the most out of life that he can, and by isolating himself from everyday society, he thinks he can do so. Thoreau believes that the “outer world” is bad, and that society goes too fast and doesn’t take the time to enjoy life, and by living in the woods, he can allow himself to do so. Living in the woods gives him a chance to “reawaken” and live deeply.
ReplyDelete2. According to Thoreau, it is better to be poor than wealthy. He believes that when one is poor, they work harder, they learn discipline. They also have to work to get what they want- nothing is handed to them. Life is much simpler when one cannot afford everything they want. To Thoreau- the less materialistic and individual is- the more they can enjoy life and grasp the true meaning of it.
Thoreau believed that because when you live life in a simple manner, concerning only the natural things in life that affect you, then you can really think about the world and what life really is. To live deep is letting yourself live a simple life and not having to worry about other people. Living in the woods lets him be on his own and connect with the world and nature around him. It allows him to feel more alive because he is conscious of living every moment in his life. He doesn’t have to think about anything except what’s important to him, and he’ll take all that knowledge in for himself, hence the “suck all the marrow out of life” part.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Thoreau, people are better off being poor because it allows them to be with nature more, and not be consumed in the greediness of life. Being rich makes you feel lonelier, and they depend on money rather than themselves. If you’re poor, then you can’t rely on money, and you have to accept the world as it is. Also, you may be forced to be closer to nature because you can’t afford all the extras like a fancy home that keeps out the outside.