Thoreaus Proposed Solution in Walden and Civil Disobedience

Thoreaus Proposed Solution in Walden and Civil Disobedience In Henry David Thoreaus Walden and Civil Disobedience, a problem is presented in the way in which we live our lives. Thoreau sees this problem and goes to Walden Pond to find the solution. Yet his solution is controversial in that it seems to propose actions that go against human nature. Thoreaus prescription for American desperation cannot be accepted by the masses for it is rooted in anti-socialism when humans are essentially social in nature. However, this conclusion is not entirely accurate, as one needs to explore Thoreaus entire solution and the intent of what he is saying in this work. First, the problem needs to be defined as Thoreau sees it. And he sees†¦show more content†¦The men Thoreau observed merely stumbled through life with a never ending debt on their shoulders. This led to Thoreaus observations of an ever-increasing emphasis put on materialism and commercialism. Believing that owning more items than the next person makes them better, men would squander to pay for things they could not afford. Yet with credit, they could obtain the items now and work off the dept. Yet the debt was hardly ever worked off in just one generation. Thoreau: I see young men... whose misfortune it is to have inherited farms, houses, barns, cattle, and farming tools; for these are more easily acquired than gotten rid of (Thoreau 47). He noticed many people who were born into dept and were crushed and smothered under its load, creeping down the road of life (Thoreau 47). Yet this idea was not frowned upon by the masses. In fact, it was considered a very admirable trait to have. Industriousness was heralded as a strong and virtuous quality in a man. Idle hands do the Devils work was a favorite saying of the hard working people at the time. Yet Thoreau saw this logic as flawed and actually an abomination of society. He stressed that one could be ascetic without being lazy. Reasonable necessity, not fashion, was the most important to Thoreau. Understanding the difference between what we want done and what must be done is a tremendous first step in Thoreaus mind. And this confronting our ownShow MoreRelated Personal Freedom and Independence: The Works of Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau1793 Words   |  8 Pagesindividual, but they do so in significantly different ways. These differences can be linked to their different worldview, life positions, philosophies, or interests. Nevertheless, this fact cannot detract from the obvious uniqueness and importance of Thoreau’s and Franklin’s literary heritage. Benjamin Franklin’s Conception of Independence and Freedom of Individual Benjamin Franklin was a scholar and lexicographer, a representative of the American Enlightenment, ideologist of the national liberation