Henry David Thoreau

Definition

Henry David Thoreau was an American philosopher, essayist, and naturalist who was a prominent figure in the 19th century transcendentalist movement. He is best known for his work 'Walden' and his essay 'Civil Disobedience,' which advocated for individual conscience over the dictates of laws and government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Thoreau's philosophy of civil disobedience, which he outlined in his essay of the same name, was a major influence on later civil rights movements, including those led by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
2. In 'Walden,' Thoreau advocated for a life of simplicity, self-reliance, and a deep connection to nature, which aligned with the transcendentalist beliefs of the time.
3. Thoreau's decision to live in solitude at Walden Pond was a rejection of the materialism and conformity he saw in society, and an attempt to find spiritual fulfillment through a more natural way of life.
4. Thoreau's writings, particularly 'Walden' and 'Civil Disobedience,' were influential in the development of American individualism and the concept of personal freedom.
5. Thoreau's ideas on civil disobedience, which he practiced by refusing to pay taxes in protest of the Mexican-American War and slavery, were a precursor to the non-violent resistance movements of the 20th century.

Review Questions

• Explain how Thoreau's philosophy of transcendentalism and his emphasis on individualism are reflected in his work 'Walden'.
  • In 'Walden,' Thoreau's transcendentalist beliefs are evident in his celebration of the natural world and his rejection of the materialism and conformity he saw in society. He advocated for a life of simplicity, self-reliance, and a deep connection to nature, which aligned with the transcendentalist ideals of the time. Thoreau's decision to live in solitude at Walden Pond was a conscious rejection of societal norms and an attempt to find spiritual fulfillment through a more natural way of life, exemplifying his emphasis on individualism and the importance of following one's own conscience.
• Analyze the influence of Thoreau's essay 'Civil Disobedience' on later civil rights movements, such as those led by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Thoreau's essay 'Civil Disobedience' was a seminal work that advocated for individual conscience over the dictates of laws and government. His philosophy of civil disobedience, which involved the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws on moral grounds, was a major influence on later civil rights movements. Both Gandhi and King drew inspiration from Thoreau's ideas, incorporating non-violent resistance and civil disobedience as key tactics in their respective struggles for independence and racial equality. Thoreau's willingness to go to jail in protest of the Mexican-American War and slavery demonstrated the power of individual conscience, and this concept became a cornerstone of the non-violent resistance movements of the 20th century.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of Thoreau's writings, particularly 'Walden' and 'Civil Disobedience,' on the development of American individualism and the concept of personal freedom.
  • Thoreau's writings, particularly his seminal works 'Walden' and 'Civil Disobedience,' have had a profound and lasting impact on the development of American individualism and the concept of personal freedom. Through his advocacy for a life of simplicity, self-reliance, and a deep connection to nature, Thoreau's 'Walden' became a touchstone for those seeking to reject the materialism and conformity of mainstream society. Similarly, his essay 'Civil Disobedience,' with its defense of individual conscience over the dictates of laws and government, laid the groundwork for later civil rights movements and the notion of personal freedom as a fundamental human right. Thoreau's willingness to defy unjust laws and his belief in the power of the individual to shape their own destiny have made him a revered figure in the American intellectual tradition, and his ideas continue to resonate with those seeking to challenge the status quo and assert their own autonomy.

Related terms

Transcendentalism:

A philosophical movement in the 19th century that emphasized the importance of individualism, intuition, and a connection to nature over strict adherence to societal norms and institutions.

Civil Disobedience:

The active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government or occupying power, on the grounds of moral objection.

Walden:

Thoreau's most famous work, a book-length essay that reflects on simple living in natural surroundings, as Thoreau built a cabin and lived on Walden Pond for two years, two months, and two days.