Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement developed in the USA in the 1820s, which focuses on the kindness of people and nature, as well as on people's independence and ability to depend on oneself. It was born in opposition to the intellectualism and spirituality of the time. Consequently, Thoreau's quote reflects his conscious and intentional decision to move to the forest in order to discover the meaning of life and his own independent self.
The Odyssey is Homer's epic of Odysseus' 10-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. While Odysseus battles mystical creatures and faces the wrath of the gods, his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus stave off suitors vying for Penelope's hand and Ithaca's throne long enough for Odysseus to return.
