Walden
Thoreau uses the Walden pond as a metaphor for truth. He feels that he needs to get away from society and all of the new technology in search for truth. He builds his own home and only relies on the bare necessities to survive the two years that he lives there. Thoreau feels that the train's engineers and passengers are "better off or the sight" of Walden pond because they get a short glimpse of truth. He feels that the truth has been corrupted by the Industrial Revolution, and that by seeing his humble abode and lifestyle, they get to see what it's like to live a simple and truthful life.
Humans need truth in their lives, and this is one thing that technology cannot fulfill. Technology can make humans unhappy with their lives; everybody feels that they need something bigger and better. However, Thoreau is honestly happy with his life because he doesn't worry about how he measures up to the next guy...their is no next guy. He can look at his life and be truly happy because he has nobody to measure up to.
Humans need truth in their lives, and this is one thing that technology cannot fulfill. Technology can make humans unhappy with their lives; everybody feels that they need something bigger and better. However, Thoreau is honestly happy with his life because he doesn't worry about how he measures up to the next guy...their is no next guy. He can look at his life and be truly happy because he has nobody to measure up to.
posted by Jenna @ 6:42 PM
1 Comments:
At October 19, 2004 10:30 AM,
Matt said…
I am a little confused by what you consider to be truth. I believe that you mean truth to be the world before technology had begun to evolve it. In this case, I believe that you are right on track wit hyour interpretation of Walden. I do think that Thoreau uses Walden Pond as a metaphor for how life is intended to be approached. As technology has become a greater influence on our culture, we have become increasingly more materalistic and the speed of our culture has expediated. In Walden, Thoreau never regards the time of day, which is why it is so ironic when a train passes through his home, as trains are dependant upon time.
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