Walden

A detailed Summary of Walden


The impact the transcendental movement had on American literature cannot be

underestimated. "Reawakening an interest in the great problems of human nature and destiny,"

authors such as Emerson, Alcott and Brownson, for example, forced the transcendental

movement into the path of Henry David Thoreau. (Spiller, 346) As a self proclaimed "mystic, a

transcendentalist, and a natural philosopher," Thoreau's works invite the reader to explore his

intuitive philosophy (Spiller, 121). Furthermore, Walden proves itself to be an adventure based

Initially, the transcendentalist movement in New England was sparked by controversy

with the Unitarian church. Critics began to view the Unitarian religion as based on a set of rules

which could not support their need for spiritual and emotional exploration. The church's

philosophy was moving more toward rational and reason based doctrines, and away from

"experiment and observation" (Spiller, 348). This included the ideals of intuition, feeling and

mysticism. In "Emerson's Nature, the original- and probably the best systematic expression of

transcendentalist philosophy," a theoretical examination is made, attempting to link a simple


like the church had set up, and enveloped himself in exploration. "Read your fate, see what is

more property or pay off past debt. Using the great ancient philosophers as an example, Thoreau

qualities valued by transcendentalists, such as its "enterprise and bravery," the greed it promotes

seems as if he is reflecting on the state of society and how it hinders man's spiritual growth,

Thoreau trained himself to utilize them toward self growth. He has "woken up," and is

September 6, 1847. His purpose is made evident in Walden, as he states "I know of no more



Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1226
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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