consumerism‚ technology‚ and the ambition of possessing material goods have become the basis of living. American writers and visionaries such as Henry David Thoreau‚ Chris McCandless‚ Ralph Waldo Emerson‚ and other poets have challenged this occurrence by taking it to the next level and‚ by doing so; have thrown light upon this endemic. Thoreau arguments this by isolating himself from society in Massachusetts near Walden Pond and writes his own work Walden which exists as his own declaration of independence
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Smith‚ Ricardo‚ and Say‚ he runs his father into debt irretrievably." (Walden‚ pp. 33) In the part of "Economy" where Thoreau records all of his costs‚ he is careful to write down also what he thinks of them‚ saying that some of it was worthless‚ that some of it was too expensive. He did not simply want to write these down so that people would be able to see these costs; Thoreau wanted to make a point. You may be poor in money or house‚ but if you spend the money you do have wisely‚ you will not
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Thoreau spoke in January 1848 pm the individuality to the state. Thoreau believed if he was to pay the poll taxes it would be contributing financially to the American Mexican war‚ which‚ Thoreau disagreed to those actions and didn’t want to be involved in that. Thoreau believed justice was not enough‚ unless individuals act against the government‚ but instead were agree with them because they felt like they had no choice. Thoreau noticed how the government was putting
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Life in the Woods Henry David Thoreau presents his transcendental beliefs. His experiment of living in the woods and away from society was a way to test out his beliefs. Thoreau believed that by freeing himself from social restrictions‚ he could eventually gain spiritual relief. Similar to transcendentalism is the hippie’s view of life. They too also believed in a simpler way of living and wished to gain spiritual knowledge of nature and the world as a whole. Thoreau portrayed an alternative state
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possesses many transcendental qualities. The Hunger Games displays many transcendental values and shows that living a transcendental life is positive and will improve one’s quality of life. Nature is a major transcendental value which both Emerson and Thoreau thrive off of. Emerson said in “Nature”‚ “In the presence of nature‚ a wild delight runs through the man‚ in spite of real sorrows” (Emerson 182). This quote exemplifies the transcendental belief that nature is fulfilling‚ despite outside stress and
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Early American literature is full of the spirit of individualism. This spirit can best be described by Emerson when he says‚ "Good men must not obey the laws too well". This view has long been an inspiration for future generations of Americans to start some of the greatest reformations of our history. Among the literary units that show support for Emerson’s idea‚ there are three that are more powerful at conveying this spirit. The Revolutionaries‚ the Transcendentalists‚ and the
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After studying American Literature‚ The Pursuit of Happiness seems to be in whatever the characters‚ or authors make it be. There are several different meanings and ways that authors have pursued their own happiness through either themselves or the characters they write about.After reading and learning about different literary movements I have learned that The Pursuit of Happiness is in always reaching for what you believe in‚ and in dreaming and pursuing those dreams. The Great Gatsby‚ Of Mice and
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Jr. and Henry David Thoreau made such actions to prove their point. Civil disobedience is justified when its goal is to obtain equal rights and service for everyone‚ without causing physical damage to people and their property‚ and without breaking the just laws that are already enforced. It should only be practiced when the government fails to uphold justice and fix laws that don’t allow everyone the equal rights already given to some. In his essay‚ "Civil Disobedience" Thoreau wrote in 1849 after
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higher law than civil law demands the obedience of the individual. Human law and government are subordinate. In cases where the two are at odds with one another‚ the individual must follow his conscience and‚ if necessary‚ disregard human law. Thoreau prepared his lecture and essay on resistance to civil government in response to a specific eventthe Mexican War‚ which was declared in May of 1846‚ and which was expected to result in the expansion of slave territory. He was not particularly inclined
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with oneself. In “Walden‚” Thoreau discusses the fact that people should make decisions that they are proud of and that a lack of self-knowledge leads to emptiness. “Rather than love‚ than money‚ than fame‚ give me truth. Truth creates work at which you would not be ashamed to invoke the Muse‚” (309). Instead of affection‚ wealth‚ or notoriety‚ Thoreau wants reality. This reality leads to the creation of things that individuals can be proud of and want to show to God. Thoreau chooses honesty because
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