Rhetorical Questions On Walden, By Henry David Thoreau
Quiz 16: Thoreau
Directions: Answer the following questions in paragraph format. Be thorough in your response, use examples from the text, and be sure to address all parts of each question.
1. In the final paragraphs of “Solitude,” Thoreau asks the following rhetorical questions: “Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself?” What does he mean when he writes “intelligence with the earth” (a very different thing from saying intelligence of the earth).
Thoreau is referring to death, and being placed in the ground.
2. American nature writing, a popular 20th century genre, was influenced heavily by Thoreau’s Walden. Write a paragraph in which you make three observations about general characteristics …show more content…
Using the word solitude indicates that he did not consider the pond as a lonely place. “The scenery of Walden is on a humble scale, and, though very beautiful, does not approach to grandeur…” (Thoreau, 1073) Thoreau describes the pond as beautiful, but humble. This could mean that its beauty might not appeal to everyone. "The shore is irregular enough not to be monotonous." (Thoreau, 1078) By describing the pond in this manner, Thoreau could be saying that the shoreline is different enough that it did not bore him.
3. Regarding "Resistance to Civil Government," what does Thoreau mean when he makes the claim "That government is best which governs least...That government is best which governs not at all."? What do you think Thoreau believes about government?
I believe that Thoreau meant the country would be better off without a governing party. Thoreau thought that the power belonged to the people and more specifically, the majority (Thoreau, 965).
4. Do you agree with Thoreau's idea of a better government? Why or why not? What is your idea of a better government?
No, I do not agree with Thoreau's idea of a better government. I agree with the first half of Thoreau’s quote, "That government is best which governs least...” We do need to have laws. However, we should not have a government that
Directions: Answer the following questions in paragraph format. Be thorough in your response, use examples from the text, and be sure to address all parts of each question.
1. In the final paragraphs of “Solitude,” Thoreau asks the following rhetorical questions: “Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself?” What does he mean when he writes “intelligence with the earth” (a very different thing from saying intelligence of the earth).
Thoreau is referring to death, and being placed in the ground.
2. American nature writing, a popular 20th century genre, was influenced heavily by Thoreau’s Walden. Write a paragraph in which you make three observations about general characteristics …show more content…
Using the word solitude indicates that he did not consider the pond as a lonely place. “The scenery of Walden is on a humble scale, and, though very beautiful, does not approach to grandeur…” (Thoreau, 1073) Thoreau describes the pond as beautiful, but humble. This could mean that its beauty might not appeal to everyone. "The shore is irregular enough not to be monotonous." (Thoreau, 1078) By describing the pond in this manner, Thoreau could be saying that the shoreline is different enough that it did not bore him.
3. Regarding "Resistance to Civil Government," what does Thoreau mean when he makes the claim "That government is best which governs least...That government is best which governs not at all."? What do you think Thoreau believes about government?
I believe that Thoreau meant the country would be better off without a governing party. Thoreau thought that the power belonged to the people and more specifically, the majority (Thoreau, 965).
4. Do you agree with Thoreau's idea of a better government? Why or why not? What is your idea of a better government?
No, I do not agree with Thoreau's idea of a better government. I agree with the first half of Thoreau’s quote, "That government is best which governs least...” We do need to have laws. However, we should not have a government that