Question

Think about thoreau's purpose in writing walden. How is Thoreau’s particular style of writing effective for achieving his purpose?

Answer 1

Walden, published in 1854 by David Thoreau, is an essay in which he narrates his experiences in a cabin built by himself, near the Walden Pond. Thoreau decides to live there for two years, two months and two days to demonstrate that life in nature is the only possible way for human kind to completely free itself from the slavery of industrial society. With this, Thoreau also seeks to reach a higher spiritual elevation.

The essay is constructed by metaphors, using the nature as the source for them. Thoreau describes nature through personifications, giving birds, animals and plants (and inanimate objects) their own personalities. In this way, he elaborates a poetic construction of his own observations and experiences.