Smoke by Henry David Thoreau (1846)
The work is a personal narrative that explores the author's experiences living simply and self-sufficiently near Walden Pond. It begins with the author's decision to leave his family home and live in a cabin he built himself, where he spends two years, two months, and two days. During this time, he observes nature, reads, writes, and reflects on life. He critiques modern society and its values, advocating for simplicity, self-reliance, and living in harmony with the natural world. The work is divided into 18 chapters that cover various aspects of his experience, including his daily routines, encounters with neighbors, and philosophical musings on topics such as economics, politics, and spirituality.
By Henry David Thoreau · First published 1846 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical · 101 words
First lines
Light-Winged Smoke, Icarian bird, Melting thy pinions in thy upward flight;
Lark without song, and messenger of dawn, Circling above the hamlets as thy nest;
Or else, departing dream, and shadowy form Of midnight vision, gathering up thy skirts;
By night star-veiling, and by day Darkening the light and blotting out the sun;
What this Textopian page supports
Smoke is listed on Textopian as an essay by Henry David Thoreau, dated 1846 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Henry David Thoreau
- Date: 1846 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical, Transcendentalism
- Length: 101 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Smoke 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 Smoke?
- How does this essay by Henry David Thoreau fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Sympathy by Henry David Thoreau
- Mist by Henry David Thoreau
- Lines by Henry David Thoreau
- The Inward Morning by Henry David Thoreau
- The Departure by Henry David Thoreau
- Mountains by Henry David Thoreau
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, employing metaphorical language and imagery typical of poetry.
- Nature — The imagery and themes revolve around natural elements, such as smoke and birds, reflecting a connection to nature.
- Philosophical — The text explores abstract concepts like dreams and visions, suggesting a deeper philosophical inquiry.
- Transcendentalism — The invocation of gods and the spiritual ascent of smoke align with transcendentalist themes of spirituality and nature.
Tags
Philosophy · Nature · Existentialism · Solitude · Self-Discovery · Meditation · Spirituality · Simple Living · Environmentalism · Critique of Modernity · Individualism · Freedom