Thoreau And Emerson Comparison

Comparing Ideals from Thoreau and Emerson

Emerson and Thoreau both use imagery sunrise to describe their ideas of what finding the self should be like. Emerson uses imagery to argue the fact that the current generation constantly spends its time trying to replicate what older generations did and have done. Thoreau on the other hand uses imagery to describe and argue the fact that we live our lives indifferent; not really noticing and appreciating our daily lives.
Emerson uses the imagery in the phrase, “The sun shines to-day also” to suggest that every-day is an opportunity to start anew (177; par. 1). Emerson skillfully places the imagery of the sunrise towards the end of the paragraph to offer as solution as well as strengthen his argument
(177). He begins the paragraph by claiming that, “Our age is retrospective.” (Emerson 177; par. 1) He explains to the reader that during this time people seemed concerned and with the way past generations lived and were not appreciating the present, as they should (Emerson 177). In the end Emerson states, “let us demand our own works and laws and worship”, as a way to explain that instead of trying to replicate past traditions, society should create their owns as a way to create an identity of their own or a self (177; par. 1).
He then offers the claim that there isn’t anything in this world has an answer, “Undoubtedly we have no questions to ask which are unanswerable.” (Emerson 177; par. 2) Emerson in this paragraph claims that everything needed to be understood is offered by nature (177). He offers the statement, “we must trust the perfection of the creation,” claiming that God created nature perfectly and everything that we question can be answered by what is offered to us (Emerson 177; par. 2). Emerson by offering the imagery of the sunrise allows us to see that we can use every day as an opportunity to question and expand our intellectuality.
In contrast, Thoreau uses the imagery that we awaken “by an infinite expectation of the dawn,” to express his thoughts on living life in a conscious matter (257; par 1).
I believe Thoreau uses this imagery to claim that an individual should be conscious enough of nature and his surroundings to not need mechanical means to wake up every morning. Thoreau also expresses his appreciation for the human ability to change our outlook on life by living in a more conscious manner (257). He states his belief that man’s purpose is to make their life worthy even in the most insignificant hours (257). Thoreau then moves on to explain the purpose to live temporarily at Walden Pond. Thoreau explains that he does not want to live his life in vain by stating, “I did not wish to live life what was not life,”(257; par 2). Thoreau in this paragraph puts his imagery of the sunrise into practice. Thoreau’s purpose of living on Walden Pond was to live life purposely; he expresses concern over living an unsatisfied life (257). Thoreau in the end uses the imagery of the sunrise to create the argument of living life in the moment, as it is offered to us (257). Both Emerson and Thoreau use the imagery of the sunrise to create and support the argument of living life purposeful, but in different processes. Emerson is afraid with the fact that society is too concerned with the past and not creating individuality. Thoreau, on the other hand, is concerned with appreciating every moment as it happens, and
it that way finding an identity.