LOGINWind down this Wednesday with a beautiful classic, known to be one of America’s most celebrated works of literature, Walden by Henry David Thoreau
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The Greener Square Review:
In Walden, Henry David Thoreau achieves the complex philosophical task of describing how the metaphysical aspects of nature catalyze a form of human enlightenment. Through this work, Thoreau is able to educate the reader on the fundamentals of environmental science, ecopsychology, and existential philosophy. In this way, Walden is groundbreaking in its appeal to a vast audience: the environmental science community—but more obliquely, perhaps—the world of spiritual enlightenment and transcendentalism. He juxtaposes his scientific culture in the 1850’s with concepts from transcendentalism in the 1830’s, notions from The Age of Enlightenment in the 1700’s, and principles from the Romanticism movement from the early 1800’s. This framework is achieved via his profound investigation of nature—namely, a pond, the sky, trees, animal life, etc.—on an existential level. By attracting two radically different communities, Thoreau’s work is progressive and integral to the environmental improvement movement.
Favorite Part:
One of his most profound observations occurs in the section, “The Ponds.” Upon carefully examining Walden Pond, he embarks on an existential journey, artfully describing the metaphysical symbolism of the pond and its sublime properties. He says that this “field of water betrays the spirit that is in the air” (171). On a physical level, the surface of the water “itself is rippled by the wind,” while “on land only the grass and trees wave” (171). This level of thought continues as he says it is “continually receiving new life and motion from above” (171). In this way, the wind above manifests itself through the movement of the water, conveying a subtle, novel sense of vitality. The following line holds greater emotional and spiritual weight; he says that the pond “is intermediate in its nature between land and sky” (171). Here, Thoreau is metaphorically describing how specific systems of nature may connect with the soul. He discusses the depth of the pond in relation to the separation between our Earth, and the supernatural entities that lay above. To expand, upon viewing a body of water one is able to see the surface, but also observe the reflection of the clouds, sky, and tree canopy. This holds an interesting contrast: a pond is molded into the ground, strongly connected to the surface of the Earth, but it is also linked, via a visual portal, with what’s above. The pond therefore can be perceived in different ways, as it reflects the surrounding environment with its own unique distortions; this is true, too, for the human soul. The soul is crafted by external experiences, as it is constantly influenced by society, but, too, has its own unique essence that can never be removed. So, just as a body of water, a human can be viewed on an exterior or spiritual, inner, level. He then notes that it is “remarkable” how humans “can look down on its surface,” something this symbolic shouldn’t be looked down upon; we should marvel at its complexity (172). These perspectives enlighten us on the sheer excellence of nature and enable us to comprehend how intertwined nature and the human soul truly are. Having this knowledge yields a greater appreciation for nature, potentially resulting in reverence and, thus, less destructive behavior.
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