Thoreau's Philosophy On Reform Essay
1. Describe Thoreau's philosophy on reform. In his view, where does reform begin?
a. According to Thoreau, reform begins with the individual—finding oneself. To achieve this, one must escape the cluttered, materialistic world and pursue a life of simplicity—connecting with and learning from nature and “confronting only the essential facts of life.” Only then can a person gain a clear mind and in turn, inspiration to live “other lives” and strive to improve change the world.
2. In what way was the transcendentalist movement a response to the growing industrialization of the world?
a. Transcendentalists rejected what America had become at the time of the Industrial Revolution. They disapproved of the poor treatment of workers, loss of individuality, …show more content…
During the Industrial Revolution, unskilled workers were assigned to a certain routine task that would benefit the factory owners more than themselves. As a result, “[industrial] organization turned individuals into numbers.” This statement from the video bears striking resemblance to the government of Anthem, which banished freedom of choice by assigning every citizen a task, a home, a name—and a number. It frowned upon individuality and creative thinking, instilling into the minds of its citizens the routine of life: live, work, die.
4. How would you feel about living in the woods for two years (keeping in mind that you’d be less than two miles away from civilization)? Could you distance yourself from society the way Thoreau did? Can you imagine discovering anything about yourself and the world during such a time? Have you already had such an experience? Respond however you like.
a. I like to think that I would be able to distance myself from society and “live off the land” for a time; I actually hope to one day trek the Appalachian Trail. An experience like this could open my eyes to not only the ease, but the complication, with which we live our lives using modern technology. I might also learn about how I would react when faced with entirely new situations. However, as I have never stayed in the woods for more than a week, I cannot foresee whether or not I would be able to remain isolated as Thoreau
a. According to Thoreau, reform begins with the individual—finding oneself. To achieve this, one must escape the cluttered, materialistic world and pursue a life of simplicity—connecting with and learning from nature and “confronting only the essential facts of life.” Only then can a person gain a clear mind and in turn, inspiration to live “other lives” and strive to improve change the world.
2. In what way was the transcendentalist movement a response to the growing industrialization of the world?
a. Transcendentalists rejected what America had become at the time of the Industrial Revolution. They disapproved of the poor treatment of workers, loss of individuality, …show more content…
During the Industrial Revolution, unskilled workers were assigned to a certain routine task that would benefit the factory owners more than themselves. As a result, “[industrial] organization turned individuals into numbers.” This statement from the video bears striking resemblance to the government of Anthem, which banished freedom of choice by assigning every citizen a task, a home, a name—and a number. It frowned upon individuality and creative thinking, instilling into the minds of its citizens the routine of life: live, work, die.
4. How would you feel about living in the woods for two years (keeping in mind that you’d be less than two miles away from civilization)? Could you distance yourself from society the way Thoreau did? Can you imagine discovering anything about yourself and the world during such a time? Have you already had such an experience? Respond however you like.
a. I like to think that I would be able to distance myself from society and “live off the land” for a time; I actually hope to one day trek the Appalachian Trail. An experience like this could open my eyes to not only the ease, but the complication, with which we live our lives using modern technology. I might also learn about how I would react when faced with entirely new situations. However, as I have never stayed in the woods for more than a week, I cannot foresee whether or not I would be able to remain isolated as Thoreau