Walden Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), the author of Walden, was born in Concord, Massachusetts. When he was a child, he always went to the woods and field with his old brother. So he loves the nature very much. In the middle of 19th century, American economies developed so rapidly that most people pursuit the material life and ignore the spiritual life. But Thoreau wants to live a simple life. Also for the Transcendentalist Movement was centered in Concord and Emerson had a great influence on him. All these made Thoreau go to build a cabin on the shore of Walden Pond and live alone to close to the nature in 1845. Later, he wrote the famous book, Walden, which mainly talks about his life and thoughts during he lived alone in the woods near Walden Pond.
When Walden was published in 1854, it was not well accepted by people. Instead it was regarded as "wicked and heathenish" .It was published only one time until Thoreau died of disease. But many years later especially in twentieth century, it was gradually known and appreciated by lots of readers all over the world.
This is a book which tells in spring Thoreau starts building a cabin in the woods， thinking about life, reading some books, and listening to the sound of nature. In autumn, he cultivates beans, observes Walden Pond. In winter, the Walden Pond freeze, lots of animals accompanies with him. As spring's coming, the Walden and other ponds melt. Every thing in nature is awake and reborn including Thoreau. After two years, Thoreau leaves.
Thoreau go to the woods to building a cabin which only costs $28.12, eating simple food and needing little furniture. So one of chapters in his book, “Higher Law", emphasizes more on the spiritual aspect instead of the satisfaction of material. Further more; he urges people to read more classic literature such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and other great writers’ masterpiece.
He also writes that though he lives alone in the woods, he is close to nature and makes himself as a part of nature. He lives alone, but sometimes he also talks with his visitors who are honest, sincere, thinkable and loving their life.
Thoreau also mentions that the noise in the town and the whistle of train disturb the quite life of the town. However, in the woods life is quite. When he lives in the woods, he can listen to animals' sounds such as bird's singing, owl’s hooting, cockerel’s crowing etc. He lives with animals friendly. He also describes the Walden Pond. The water, blue and green, clear and pure, freezes in winter and melts in spring.
When I was reading Walden, I felt that I was listening to a wise man’s talking. The words and phrases about the nature especially the Walden Pond are beautiful and fascinating. The sentences are full of wisdom and philosophy.
Reading this book reminds me of those people who work hard to earn money, waste lots of money to buy luxury and expensive things, waste time to entertain themselves. In my point of view, they may easily lose themselves, and though their bodies are full, their minds are hungry. The real life is to make every complicate thing to be simple and enrich our heart and soul. In a word, just simplicity 、simplicity and simplicity!
One of Thoreau's thoughts about solitude attracts me deeply for I’m the person who likes to be alone. There are some reasons for why I like to be alone: Firstly I think that living with others is easy going to have a conflict whatever you are best friends. Secondly just as Thoreau saying ‘a man thinking or working always alone and let him be where he will’. I always spent most of time to study, and I like to make myself busy all the time, so I have little time to stay with others. In addition to, what I'm thinking and interested in is quite different from others. I like studying at library and reading books but don't like pursuit fashionable and new trend things for it makes me feel tired and bored. So I always live alone and people who around me think I must be lonely. Actually it's not true. They don't understand me at all. When I'm studying, learning or reading, I don't think other things, just immersing in the ocean of knowledge .My heart is quite calm. And if learn new knowledge I got a feeling of happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment. So I was so surprised that what Thoreau said was exactly same to what I thought. I was so glad to find a person who has the same idea with me.
When Thoreau lived alone in the woods, people did not understand him, even Emerson thought what he did was wrong. And now, people who around me think my life is not good. But I think Thoreau’s life was successful, meaningful and happy, so do I. Because I think that the success and happiness of life all come from exactly value. Everyone deeply desires of themselves life. When you know what the value of yourself is, meanwhile you can enjoy your life according to the value every time. You will find that everyday you have full of energy and enthusiasm to do anything, hear the sure sound from your heart, and often feel intense achievement, the most important is that your heart is peace and calm.
Last but not least, I envy Thoreau so much for he lives in such a beautiful and comfortable nature environment. He can breathe the fresh air, live with wild animal friendly; appreciate the scenery of Walden Pond etc. While in modern society, people pursuit their own interests to hunt and kill animals, cut down trees and pollute the rivers and so on. As a result, the number of wildlife is decreasing, the area of lake is shrinking, and the water is not pure any more. The environment problems such as globe warming, climate change and air and water pollution have been becoming increasingly serious. Reading this book makes me be aware of protecting the environment to realize the harmony between human and nature.
Although I may not understand Thoreau's thoughts completely, I’m really benefited from reading the book, Walden.