Thoreau's Walden: A Critique of American Society

Henry David Thoreau, an American philosopher, transcendentalist, and abolitionist, was in many regards well ahead of his time. Few of his works highlights his genius as well as Walden, or Life in the woods. Thoreau writes Walden for himself hoping readers will come to similar conclusions when given Thoreau's personal experiences to think about. This is unlike a preacher telling others how to live, for Thoreau is not preaching, but simply observing. Thoreau’s Walden argues against the barbaric structure of American society, a society that pursues an illusion of progress through exploiting Indians, Africans, and the poor; while he cannot himself end slavery or subjugation Thoreau instead offers self reliance, and living on less, as solutions

Utopian communities were formed such as Shakers, Brook farm, and Mormons; the revival of religious fervor began the second great awakening, this allowed preachers such as Alexander Campbell, and Richard Allen to become nationally well-known (OpenStax). Many groups rejected the status quo and looked to produce a lifestyle that was better than any other. This atmosphere was ripe for Thoreau’s input. Thoreau was a prominent transcendentalist, another 19th-century social movement. Transcendentalism focused on the individual, nature, and emotional reasoning, rather than cold logic. Walden promoted much of the transcendental philosophy, and less dares, but rather invites the reader to try living with less, understanding their place in nature, and going “beyond the sensory world in order to reach a deeper understanding of their reality. While Thoreau offers a lifestyle he feels compelled to comment on the current class structure advocating for those who are enslaved to it both literally in the form of African slavery, and figuratively in the form of the poor, and middle class who rent homes from and work for the upper classes

Thoreau uses the experiment as a way of testing his beliefs. Through his experience with others and himself, he validates his own hypothesis of what transcendentalist living should bring. Happiness truly came to him from residing in the woods, relying on himself for all his needs. Finding himself as one with nature, rather than above or outside of it. Understanding that true wealth came from the soul and experiences, rather than possessions. He had to share his revelations, but knew he couldn't force others to think as he did, especially if they had never lived