Henry David Thoreau

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the life and work of Henry David Thoreau, considered to be one of the greatest American writers of the 19th century. It looks at how Thoreau is remembered as an eccentric man who shunned the norms of society, instead opting to live alone, with nature, at Walden Pond. It discusses how he was truly committed to civil disobedience and how his political thinking was somehow linked to his greater philosophy of nature. In this light Thoreau is considered as a reflective writer who had important reflections on every aspect of human life and society, including the political.

Outline
Introduction
Thoreau's Life
Thoreau's Religious Ideas
American Transcendentalism and Thoreau
Civil Disobedience
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In 1845, Thoreau built a cabin on Emerson's land near Walden Pond and lived there for a few years. He stayed in this natural setting in an effort to simplify his life, cut his living expenses and devote his time to nature and his writing. During his stay at Walden creek, he wrote two books, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, a description of a rowboat trip he took with his brother, and Walden, an account of his life that sealed Thoreau's reputation as an esteemed author.
Shortly after moving into his cabin, Thoreau refused to pay a government-issued poll tax as an act of protest against slavery and was put in jail. Against his wishes, his aunt paid his bail and he was set free. He wrote his famous essay, "Civil Disobedience", about this experience, urging readers to violate unjust laws. Throughout his life, Thoreau continued to protest slavery, war and anything else he felt was immoral."

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