Walking by Henry David Thoreau
The narrative follows the author's experiences living in a cabin near Walden Pond, where he seeks to live simply and self-sufficiently. He reflects on his life before moving to the pond, including his education and relationships. The text also explores themes of nature, solitude, and individualism.
By Henry David Thoreau · First published 1854 · Genre: Nature Writing, Philosophy, Essay · 13,791 words
First lines
I wish to speak a word for Nature, for absolute Freedom and Wildness, as contrasted with a freedom and culture merely civil,-to regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of Nature, rather than a member of society. I wish to make an extreme statement, if so I may make an emphatic one, for there are enough champions of civilization: the minister and the school committee and every one of you will take care of that.
What this Textopian page supports
Walking is listed on Textopian as an essay by Henry David Thoreau, dated 1854 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: 1854 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Philosophy, Essay, Transcendentalism, Non-fiction
- Length: 13,791 words
- Structure: 1 section, 121 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Walking by Henry David Thoreau
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Walking?
- How does this essay by Henry David Thoreau fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Nature Writing first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Nature Writing — The text extensively explores the relationship between humans and the natural world, emphasizing the beauty and importance of nature.
- Philosophy — The work delves into philosophical reflections on walking, freedom, and the human condition.
- Essay — The structure and style of the text are characteristic of an essay, presenting a coherent argument and personal reflections.
- Transcendentalism — The themes align with transcendentalist ideas, focusing on individualism and the spiritual connection with nature.
Tags
Nature · Philosophy · Self-Discovery · Solitude · Simple Living · Environmentalism · Existentialism · Meditation · Mindfulness · Walking as Meditation · Travelogue · Autobiography