Thoreau Analysis

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1. Through the first paragraph, Thoreau declares his higher purpose as living simply and without the excess that most people live for. He claimed, “I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish the meanness to the world;” In saying this he explains his purpose of living life to the bare minimum and seeing if it was both possible and satisfying. He was looking to seek the deeper meaning of life, without the luxuries and expenses, and live for what life was really worth living for.

2. Thoreau constantly distinguishes what life is to what he doesn’t want it to be. Thoreau claims, “I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary.” Here Thoreau is not only stating his purpose but is distinguishing it with another example, in this case his resignation. He tries to compare life as he knows it with the life that he wishes to experience which includes a life completely opposite to he is currently living.

3. Thoreau supports his decision of going to the woods by demonstrating that if he hadn’t, the result would have been disappointing. By using contradictions, Thoreau offers a sense of mystery and what ifs. One comment without the other would have been weak. If instead he only stated his personal desires without talking about regret, the effect wouldn’t have been as great as he wanted. By also expanding on the possibility of regret, he changes an opinion of personal desire...

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...nd we should try to make the best of it, no matter the time, place or setting.

13. Thoreau says: "Time is but the stream I go afishing in." The author describes time as if it was an unending stream, and he also realizes how shallow the bottom is. This metaphor is the perfect description of a person's life. One minute someone might be enjoying life and be carefree and the next they could be dead. They never know what is awaiting them around the corner. Thoreau also says "I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born." When we were children, we were unexposed to all aspects of life, so therefore we didn’t know about the horrible things that go on in the world. By not knowing about these things, we were able to live carefree. As we grow, our minds grow and our lives are filled with dark images and stories that will stay with us forever.

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