Thoreau's Influence On Modern American Life

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Have you ever thought of just removing yourself from the pressures, stresses and difficulties life throws at us every day? Imagine a complete disassociation from the things you see and use the most your electronics, your house and most importantly your family. This kind of lifestyle sounds like it is difficult due to the large amount of information and comfort being taken out of your life. In our society, we are connected, and in some cases addicted, to the many luxuries that we have that keep us in contact with the rest of society. Furthermore, when considering all these factors the life that most of us have today would be difficult for a modern American to live the way Thoreau did in his time due to the greater connection between a modern …show more content…

When Thoreau departed for his believed to be two week sabbatical from society he lived in a log cabin in the woods where he hoped to find freedom. Thoreau was first unimpressed by his new dwelling in the woods until he found relaxation in the upcoming spring season and as he said in Walden “One attraction in coming to the woods to live was that I should have leisure and opportunity so see the spring come in. The ice in the pond at length begins to be honey-combed, and I can set my heel in it as I walk” (Thoreau 385). What Thoreau looked at for comfort in his time, would today be taken granted for today as the comings and goings of the seasons would mean little to nothing for modern people. It is very difficult to believe that modern humans would find any kind of luxury by simply going to a log cabin and living there. As La Ferle said in his excerpt “It occurred to me that things were vastly different for Thoreau. The comforts of life in the 1840’s were not exactly cushy by today’s standards”(La Ferle 389). La Ferle’s quote is significant because it draws another difference between the comfortable lifestyle Thoreau would have lived in and what kind of comfortable lifestyle we live in today. The glamour of going to the woods to find peace and relaxation has diminished a lot since Thoreau’s age and due to this a modern human, who probably has been pampered in their lives by the electronics provided by society, wouldn’t be able to be at peace in a secluded place like the woods without one of their cherished electronic

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