Canoeing in the Wilderness

Name: Canoeing in the Wilderness
Author: Henry David Thoreau

The narrative follows a solo canoe trip through the Maine wilderness. The author's goal is to explore and experience nature firsthand, free from societal constraints. He sets out in April, paddling up the Allagash River, and continues into the woods, facing challenges such as harsh weather, rugged terrain, and encounters with wildlife.

By Henry David Thoreau · First published 1868 · Genre: Travel Literature, Nature Writing, Memoir · 10 chapters · 36,924 words

First lines

I started on my third excursion to the Maine woods Monday, July 20, 1857, with one companion, arriving at Bangor the next day at noon. The succeeding morning, a relative of mine who is well acquainted with the Penobscot Indians took me in his wagon to Oldtown to assist me in obtaining an Indian for this expedition. We were ferried across to the Indian Island in a bateau. The ferryman's boy had the key to it, but the father, who was a blacksmith, after a little hesitation, cut the chain with a cold chisel on the rock. He told me that the Indians were nearly all gone to the seaboard and to Massachusetts, partly on account of the smallpox, of which they are very much afraid, having broken out in Oldtown. The old chief Neptune, however, was there still.

What this Textopian page supports

Canoeing in the Wilderness is listed on Textopian as a novel by Henry David Thoreau, dated 1868 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Henry David Thoreau
Date: 1868 CE
Language: English
Genres: Travel Literature, Nature Writing, Memoir, Adventure, Philosophical Literature
Length: 36,924 words
Structure: 10 chapters, 376 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Canoeing in the Wilderness by Henry David Thoreau
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Canoeing in the Wilderness?
How does this novel by Henry David Thoreau fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Travel Literature first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Travel Literature — The book is a detailed account of a journey through the wilderness, focusing on the experiences and observations made during the trip.
Nature Writing — The narrative emphasizes the natural environment, describing the landscape, flora, and fauna encountered during the expedition.
Memoir — The work is a personal account of the author's experiences and reflections during the canoeing trip.
Adventure — The book involves exploration and the challenges faced while navigating through the wilderness.