The essay explores the relationship between two brothers and their differing values and lifestyles. One brother is a conformist who prioritizes material success and societal expectations, while the other brother is more independent and nonconformist. The essay critiques the idea that one's worth is measured by wealth and social status, arguing instead for a life of simplicity and self-reliance.
By Henry David Thoreau · First published 1849 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric