The ideas of the books and the way it is written have a philosophical tone to it. This is the reason Walden emphasizes self-reliance, independence, nature, and individuality An individual doesn’t need to conform to society conforming leads to a loss of individuality, and society and its institutions have ruined the idea of an ‘individual’. We need solitude and space for ourselves but we also need other people so it is not an either-or kind of situation. Often he finds himself needing company and socializing with other people. Thoreau enjoys his solitude it gives him time to think and enjoy nature but communication with people is appealing too. This idea is to trust oneself and your instincts completely to survive to be yourself and not try to fit in with societal conformities. The one idea that you come across in the book prominently from start to finish is Self- Reliance. The book talks a lot about existence, the choices we make, our needs and the part society play in our life. When he finds himself isolated from people, he often went to the village where he was once arrested for not paying taxes. He often has visitors but he specifically mentions a woodcutter who is rough around the edges but Thoreau enjoyed his company. He earns some money by working a bean field and maintains a record of finances diligently to show how little humans need to survive. He lives a self-sustaining lifestyle at the cabin. Thoreau works in the field himself to grow food produce, and cooks it himself too he builds a small cabin for himself. In the end, all of the materialistic or extra luxuries leave people drained and empty. The obsession with material things, and the need to have certain luxuries just for the sake of it ends up taking a toll on us. Thoreau talks about how hard people work to fulfill their needs but they don’t need to work so hard if they choose a simpler life. It was a social experiment that would help him explore nature and society from an objective point of view. Thoreau chose to live near Walden Pond outside of Concord, Massachusetts for two years, writing this book. I am not sure how to explain the story of this book it is tricky. This book delves into many philosophical ideas yet somehow remains grounded in the world we know today. The author chose to live alone away from society as an experiment.

The book is an account of Thoreau’s stay in isolation at a secluded cabin near Walden Pond in Massachusetts. Walden by Henry David Thoreau is a non-fiction novel.

Book by henry david thoreau