Henry David Thoreau's Analysis Of Chapter Three Of Walden

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Sofia Altamura November 30th, 2015
Mrs. Grene AP English Language Set 5

Analysis of Chapter Three of Walden: “Reading”

Walden is one of the most familiar names of novels from the transcendentalism period of the 19th century. It is an enduring masterpiece which truly shows that the necessities of life are not material possessions, but rather spiritual enrichment and closeness to nature. In chapter three of Walden, Henry David Thoreau conveys the relevance of reading to his simplistic and naturalistic lifestyle portrayed throughout the novel by making use of themes and symbols such as immortality, mornings and veils. Thoreau additionally uses rhetorical strategies that include a combination of long and poetic questions, polysyndeton, and strong words to create emphasis within a flowing and continuous tone, and which demonstrates his strong belief
By using eloquent and lengthy sentences mixed with various strong words, he utilizes rhetorical strategies that force the reader to stay focused while promoting his belief that quality novels should be held in a very high regard. By incorporating various symbols, Thoreau draws the reader in and emphasizes his message of spiritual fulfillment from nature. As Thoreau wrote about immortality, he implies that the best novels make words and concepts seem timeless, and therefore immortal. Perhaps that was what Thoreau wanted- a timeless novel that could carry the message of straying away from materialism and working towards simplistic self-progression through generations of novels. If that was Thoreau’s goal, then he succeeded. Walden is one of the most influential and well-known novels, even in the modern 20th century, and his message is one that many people today need to

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