Henry David Thoreau Research Paper

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He was an unorthodox writer who urged the capability of free thought and the importance of nature in constructing not only self-reliance, but also self-actualization and moral sense. Since he valued open-minded thinking, importance of nature, and self-reliance, Thoreau lived as a free spirit who did not need materialism. During the mid 19th century, when Walden was written and published, our large, young nation was filled with forward seeking people. As the nation grew, borders expand and thousand are looking west to build better lives for their families. Our nation was just in between the American Revolution and World War 1. Our nation slowly developed from an agricultural and rural society to industrial. The country had grown with the addition …show more content…

Thoreau was very bright, and finished Harvard in the top half of his class. While at college, he studied He also took courses in mathematics, English, history, and mental, natural, and intellectual philosophy (Witherell, Dubrulle). After graduating, Thoreau accepted a job as a schoolteacher in Concord. He did not keep that job long and resigned after only two weeks of being a teacher there (Schneider). That same year, Thoreau began to keep a journal, for which he would write in frequently. That same year, Thoreau Thoreau decided to return to Concord and open a school with his brother John (Witherell, Dubrulle). Concord Academy differed from other schools in its lack of strict punishment and encouragement of learning. Their school was successful in captivating students but only lasted a short three years. John became sick and Thoreau decided not to continue running the school alone. Later he worked as a handyman throughout Concord and helped out in the family's pencil business. According to the Poetry Foundation, he built a small cabin by a pond, named Walden Pond in 1845, which would inspire him to write on of his most famous and well-known essays, Walden. After living a year at Walden Pond, Henry lived with Ralph Waldo Emerson while he was away on lecture in

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