Where I Lived And What I Lived For by Henry Thoreau - Essay Example

?Reflective Essay "Where I Lived, and What I Lived For" 334-351 Thoreau begins this essay by considering the nature of his walk through other individual’s farms. It presents an interesting meditation on the nature of existence and life through the observation of nature. At varying points in his discussion of these things broad sweeping insights are articulated. One such point is made when Thoreau states, “a man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone” (Thoreau, pg. 335). To me this represents an insight into the nature of wisdom. Thoreau seems to be equating richness with knowledge and understanding, and indicating in that being able to leave aside various elements indicates that they possess this knowledge or understanding. As Thoreau continues his discussion he extols the farm he purchased for its seclusion from civilization. It’s clear in these regards that he is presenting the farm as a sort of religious retreat through which in seclusion he gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual nature of reality. Another insight Thoreau offers is ‘live free and uncommitted’. It seems this is a central aspect of his spirituality or life philosophy. Another important insight Thoreau offers is that due to his situation and lack of emphasis on time and place, he felt more close to particular aspects of the universe and history. Thoreau also relays his daily rituals, indicating that he was influenced by Greek mythology. He talks about the importance of simplicity in his life as achieving this higher state of conscious understanding. In all, it’s clear that this essay gives an overarching perspective on Thoreau’s philosophy and the spiritual nature of his reclusion. "Reading" 351-362;"Sounds" excerpt 363-364 Early in this section Thoreau writes, “Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in” (Thoreau, pg. 351). In these regards, this continues Thoreau’s thematic concern with the deconstruction of time and regularly accepted existence. It’s clear that Thoreau is indicating that his reason for living this mode of existence is related to the ability it has for bringing the human conscious to a closer understanding of reality and existence. The flow of life is heavily explored in this section as a means of grasping this truth, or ‘transcendental’ reality. Another powerful quote is when Thoreau states, “I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born” (Thoreau, pg. 351). It’s clear that he is indicating he believes the true nature of reality is a sort of deeper grasp of visceral or instinctual elements, rather than the intrusion of experiential or more intellectually based reality. As Thoreau continues he deliberates on the nature of his reading material, indicating that he read elements of Homer and ancient Greek drama. In this section Thoreau extols the classics as being the articulation of the noblest thoughts of humanity and encourages individuals to attempt to learn foreign languages as reading the classics in translation greatly distorts their message. The section ‘Sounds’ Thoreau considers the nature of the sounds around him, referencing the birds. One of the most interesting points made in this section is that while Thoreau is living a life of seclusion, if one compares his life to that of the birds and animals then its varying aspects and accomplishments are at a similar level of contentment. "Conclusion" 559-572 ?? In this concluding section Thoreau considers his philosophy from an overarching perspective. In these regards, he considers the nature of the bisons and wild animals in determining the right way to live one’s life. It’s clear that for Thoreau the intellect and overly conscious thought has a way of distorting reality, and in considering the lives of animals Thoreau believes that they are not perverted by this thought and thus supply privileged insight into the nature of proper existence. Rather than traveling to Africa to hunt wild game, Thoreau encourages people to hunt themselves. In these regards, he means to look inward and consider themselves and their place in the world. Another notable point Thoreau argues is that, “Only the defeated and deserters go to the wars, cowards that run away and enlist” (Thoreau, pg. 561). Thoreau extends this discussion to an almost full-scale anti-war stance. He argues that while going to war is a sacred law of society, an even braver individual would neglect these laws, and adopt laws of higher spiritual proportions. In this section Thoreau makes the highly inspirational quote, "if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unachievable by others” (Thoreau, pg. 562). Thoreau also spends considerable digression on the nature of individuality and the importance of following one’s own path. These concluding insights seem to be elements gleamed from Thoreau’s transcendental philosophy as gained through his spiritual retreat on Walden Pond. Miller, Walter M., Jr. A Canticle for Leibowitz In a Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter Miller presents an engaging science fiction narrative of a post-apocalyptic setting. The narrative takes place in a Roman Catholic monastery and is heavily influenced by the author’s participation in Allied bombing during the Second World War. In this novel society has taken on a sort of tribal existence, with literature individuals being marauded and destroyed by rampaging mobs. The novel centers on an individual who has attempted to preserve the remnants of books in the world. It’s a compelling deliberation on the nature of literature and intellectual thought. Even as Thoreau extolled the importance of classic literature, there is a sense in his writings that going to a more pure state of existence would a truer reality. In this novel Miller explores these propositions. Within these thematic concerns are a great many narrative elements that mirror similar shifts in our own history. For instance there is a Renaissance that occurs nearly a thousand years in the future. This becomes one of the major intriguing elements of the work, namely the implementation of these cyclical historical elements. While it would be exhaustive to summarize the twisting narrative, in reading the text one comes to appreciate the Miller’s insights or beliefs into these elements of historical change. Indeed, it can be argued that rather than constituting science fiction the novel represents a sort of cultural investigation into our own history and the nature of progress and change. References Miller, Walter. (2006) A Canticle for Leibowitz. New York: Harper. Thoreau, Henry David. (1964) the Portable Thoreau. New York: Penguin. Read More