Summer Reading Journal
Summer Reading Journals
Walden Journal
Language:
A. “Why level down to our dullest perception always, and praise that as common sense?” -Humorous. Thoreau seems to be trying to imply that everyone views common sense in a different way. Why should we try to impress others with our own opinion of common sense, when common sense is viewed at a different perspective by each and every person.
B. “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” According to this quote, I believe Thoreau was conveying that a majority of men in his time are to busy dreaming and desperate for more. These men could be working for what they want but are to busy living with this quiet desperation.
C. “With respect to wit, I learned that there was not much difference between the half and whole.” This quote means that no matter who you are, if you are smart, stupid, rich, or poor, you are just like every other person with a heart. Every man and woman is a whole person and there is no difference between those are considered a whole person and who is considered half of one.
D. “It is not all the books that are as dull as their readers.” -Humorous. This quote tends to imply that while some people claim to be well-educated or very literate, they can still possibly be dull men and women. They don’t read for the inspirational reasons that others are looking for.
E. “Time is but a stream I go a-fishing in...” Thoreau means that his time on earth is limited, resembling the shallowness of the stream. However, the stream is ever-flowing, marking the eternity of his life after death.
F. “Our life is frittered away by detail.” I believe this quote represents the idea that we are missing out on our lives. We are so consumed with details and materialistic objects, that we forget what’s real and what’s fake. We miss out on, or “fritter” away our lives.
G. “As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county
Walden Journal
Language:
A. “Why level down to our dullest perception always, and praise that as common sense?” -Humorous. Thoreau seems to be trying to imply that everyone views common sense in a different way. Why should we try to impress others with our own opinion of common sense, when common sense is viewed at a different perspective by each and every person.
B. “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” According to this quote, I believe Thoreau was conveying that a majority of men in his time are to busy dreaming and desperate for more. These men could be working for what they want but are to busy living with this quiet desperation.
C. “With respect to wit, I learned that there was not much difference between the half and whole.” This quote means that no matter who you are, if you are smart, stupid, rich, or poor, you are just like every other person with a heart. Every man and woman is a whole person and there is no difference between those are considered a whole person and who is considered half of one.
D. “It is not all the books that are as dull as their readers.” -Humorous. This quote tends to imply that while some people claim to be well-educated or very literate, they can still possibly be dull men and women. They don’t read for the inspirational reasons that others are looking for.
E. “Time is but a stream I go a-fishing in...” Thoreau means that his time on earth is limited, resembling the shallowness of the stream. However, the stream is ever-flowing, marking the eternity of his life after death.
F. “Our life is frittered away by detail.” I believe this quote represents the idea that we are missing out on our lives. We are so consumed with details and materialistic objects, that we forget what’s real and what’s fake. We miss out on, or “fritter” away our lives.
G. “As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county