Background: In our literature class we will be reading about Henry David Thoreau’s experience on Walden’s Pond. He went there to
test the writer Emerson’s beliefs about self-reliance. Living in self-isolation for over a year changed his viewpoint and mindset about: the importance of self-reliance; the power of simple living; and how human progress is just an illusion. Thoreau chose to live alone, rarely seeing anyone, for over a year. Think about your time in quarantine. This was the first time in about 100 years that we as a society had been asked to “Stay at Home”. Essential Questions - Think about these questions prior to moving onto the task below as these questions can also be addressed within your response.
- Is there a difference between Self-imposed isolation (Thoreau) and imposed isolation (you)?
- Does CO VID 19 isolation simplify any aspects of your life?
The Task:
1) Consider the following:
● What kind of positive events/feelings/experiences came out of your social isolation?
● Did these help you to reflect on the simpler things in life?
● Did you have to rely more on yourself and not the outside world?
● Or, did you fall more into technology because of this?
● What positives can you take away from this experience?
● Do you have a new outlook on society and what is important?
2) In a paragraph (5-8 sentences) reflect on your own experience in the past year and compare your experience to Thoreau’s experience in Walden. Find at least two quotes from “Walden” (Journeys in Literature pg. 98-106) to show how Thoreau’s isolation experiment compares to your experience.
