Henry David Thoreau
Walden, written by Henry David Thoreau is highly cyclical text in nature. This cyclical structure contributes to prominent themes in the book such as nature, simplicity, and independence, and enhances the motif of the individual versus society. The aim of this paper is to examine the ways in which the text is cyclical, and analyze how this structure supports greater themes present in Walden. Ultimately, the cyclicality of the text manifests itself in concepts of time and seasons, the rhetoric structure of Thoreau’s prose, in addition to the setting of Walden Pond and the village. Time is an encompassing motif throughout Walden, it not only reinforces the cyclical nature of the text, but also alludes to themes regarding man’s connection
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Starting his experience at Walden Pond in the springtime is symbolic of a new beginning, both physical and emotional. Thoreau is beginning to experience the all encompassing aspects of nature instead of viewing nature as a distant entity that exists separately from man. He depicts his excitement when moving in, “and there I did live, for an hour, a summer and a winter life; saw how I could let the years run off, buffet the winter through, and see the spring come in”(87). This passage exhibits not only the motif of time and its passage, but also calls attention to the seasons and their influences on nature and man. Additionally, the manner in which he describes the entrance of spring after winter is suggestive of the symbolic regeneration and newness which spring exudes. Thoreau moves into his cabin on Independence Day, which clearly emphasizes the beginning of his experience, and is highly symbolic of his autonomy from society (90). When spring arrives again after Thoreau experiences fall and winter at Walden Pond, the season carries great significance in regard to revival. The ice which covers the pond begins to melt, “A great field of ice has cracked off from the main body”(337), delineating a physical change in the earth. Thoreau notes other signs of spring, such as “a song-sparrow singing from the bushes on the shore”(337), and uses imagery leaden descriptors to illustrate his sublime experience of the beginning of spring. He also examines the oppositional essence of the seasons, “Such is the contrast between winter and spring. Walden is dead and is alive again”(337), drawing parallels between winter and dead, spring and alive. Ultimately, this contrast serves to further emphasize the regeneration and newness which accompanies spring. Thoreau depicts how
Starting his experience at Walden Pond in the springtime is symbolic of a new beginning, both physical and emotional. Thoreau is beginning to experience the all encompassing aspects of nature instead of viewing nature as a distant entity that exists separately from man. He depicts his excitement when moving in, “and there I did live, for an hour, a summer and a winter life; saw how I could let the years run off, buffet the winter through, and see the spring come in”(87). This passage exhibits not only the motif of time and its passage, but also calls attention to the seasons and their influences on nature and man. Additionally, the manner in which he describes the entrance of spring after winter is suggestive of the symbolic regeneration and newness which spring exudes. Thoreau moves into his cabin on Independence Day, which clearly emphasizes the beginning of his experience, and is highly symbolic of his autonomy from society (90). When spring arrives again after Thoreau experiences fall and winter at Walden Pond, the season carries great significance in regard to revival. The ice which covers the pond begins to melt, “A great field of ice has cracked off from the main body”(337), delineating a physical change in the earth. Thoreau notes other signs of spring, such as “a song-sparrow singing from the bushes on the shore”(337), and uses imagery leaden descriptors to illustrate his sublime experience of the beginning of spring. He also examines the oppositional essence of the seasons, “Such is the contrast between winter and spring. Walden is dead and is alive again”(337), drawing parallels between winter and dead, spring and alive. Ultimately, this contrast serves to further emphasize the regeneration and newness which accompanies spring. Thoreau depicts how