Analyze Why I went to the woods of Henry David Thoreau - Essay Example

Do Thoreau’s ideas relate to 21st century? Why or why not? Do Thoreau undertook a unique adventure and innovation when he tried to test the real skills of his ability and personality and took shelter and refuge in the woods. According to him the sole purpose was to assess the human ability compares it with the live and facilities that are present in the civilized world and the urban parts of the world. He undertakes the journey to assess the different between the jungle life and the present day digital life and tries to draw an analogy and contrasting elements that exit between these two.

His experience cannot be exactly related to the facts and circumstances of the 21st century. Since the present times are driven by digital innovations, facilities and other leverage and benefits being provided through the overall progress, therefore jungle life as is related to the historic people and stone age cannot be lived by the contemporary man based on the facilities and the environment that has been enjoyed by them. His experience is based upon the fact that he had undertaken tests and tribulation towards deciding a place prior to settling at a place.

The decision came up after massive investigation and assessment of the places and subsequently deciding upon a place which he could relate to. He was in search of the place that would allow him the feel of nature and keep his soul at comfort and peace.Other purposes behind his expedition and adventure was to realize and assess for the benefits that are being provided by the nature, and the artificial environment that has been overtaken by the mankind which has led to an alienation from the real structure of society and earth and this in turn makes it difficult for the mankind to live in a natural way that comes in form of the woods and jungle life.

Hence it can be safely said that these conditions do not apply to the 21st century and a person living in sophisticated urban environment may find it nearly impossible to live in the woods as he does not have any of the facilities that he is used to otherwise. Although the author has taken up the case for the purpose of bring himself closer to the nature and natural existence, yet for any other ordinary citizen it would be difficult to adjust and relate to the woods as there are hardly as facilities that may be available to them in the woods (Thoreau).

The purpose of the author was to provide the readers with an insight into the differences and the possible shift over which is often questioned and desired by the person who get distasted from the civilized modern day society and ultimately lives a life in the jungle for the purpose of testing his ability and finding peace of mind in the longer run. The entire experience was based upon the observations and experimentation that was undertaken over a total of two years of living in the woods.References:Thoreau, Henry David.

Why did Thoreau live in the woods? Large Print Book Company, 2013.