Walden Pond
Essay Preview: Walden Pond
Report this essay
Materialism has turned out society into a group of money hungry status seeking monsters. Thoreau discusses many major points that have importance to me. The topics on self reliance and materialism greatly influence my thoughts and perceptions in life. There were many examples in “The Village” that spoke about how the products and luxurie Thoreau discusses many major points that have importance to me. The topics on self reliance and materialism greatly influence my thoughts and perceptions in life. There were many examples in “The Village” that spoke about how the products and luxuries of the materialistic world try to continuously lure Thoreau back to the ways of the rest of the population. All everyone cares about is making money and having a high profile status. “Economy” has a lot to do with how people only care for the riches in life. The simple jobs are pitied upon which therefore apt people to judge others based on their home, clothing, and profession. First impressions are key in society. Farming as a profession or wearing cheap clothing will influence others to treat that person less than what they deserve because “you are not worthy”. The self reliance aspect relates to materialism for many reasons. Without nature there would be no materials to be able to truly survive one should be able to use their environment to live. If all technology were to crash, what would happen to society?
“I see young men, my townsmen, whose misfortune it is to have inherited farms, houses, barns, cattle, and farming tools; for these are more easily acquired than got rid of. Better if they had been born in the open pasture and suckled by a wolf, that they might have seen with clearer eyes what field they were called to labor in.” (pg. 2) This passage explains how people are ungrateful for goods that arent of significant value. People need to open their eyes and get a grip on life. Everyones priorities are in other aspects of life. Most would rather inherit a fortune or a fancy car. Society corrupts people and turns them into materialistic fiends. Thoreau is appalled at the idea that people would throw all of it away or sell it to get money for their luxuries. To have been reared by a wolf in the field would be a more rewarding experience because there are no outside influences. To grow up in a totally secluded home would be the best way to instill values in a child. Growing up in nature will teach one all the skills of survival, making oneself reliant. Independence is a trait that all humans should acquire; money is the route of all evil. Thoreau in a way pities the fact that humans cant live without their luxuries. Most humans who dont have riches strive to get rich and usually die trying. When the day comes to be judged by God, He is not going to care about the cars or jewelry you have acquired over the years. Heaven has no value for gold and pearls, it is invisible up there. The riches in heaven are greater than anything the Earth has to offer.
“Signs were hung out on all sides to allure him; some to catch him by the appetite, as the tavern and victualling cellar; some by the fancy, as the dry goods store and the jewelers; and others by the hair or the feet or the skirts, as the barber, the shoemaker, or the tailor.” (pg113) Thoreau would go into the village a lot to learn about what is going on in the world. There would be many products that would catch his eye and try to lure him into societys materialistic ways. Businesses will do all they can to get one to purchase their products. In “Baker Farm” John Field was a farmer corrupted by societys form of “advertising”. John had to work extra hard to provide his wife with fancier foods like coffee, tea, butter and beef. Each and every day work would become harder. When one already spends too much money on luxuries they are likely to spend more and more money on goods. The influence that materials have on people can ultimately stray them away from their real dreams. Money will influence your decision process in choosing a career. A big portion of America does not like their jobs, and they will only stick with the career strictly for money making. “I was ever accustomed to make an interruption into some houses, where I was well entertained, and after learning the kernels and very last sieve-full of news, what had subsided, the prospects of war and peace, and whether the world was likely to hold together much longer, I was let out through the rear avenues and so escaped to the woods again.” (pg 114) When Thoreau would go to these houses he would learn all the information he needed to know about the world. Thoreau never really cared for company, so why does he feel that others wanted him in their households? His method of learning what was going on in society was very strategic minus the rudeness of just showing up without any notice. Thoreau avoided the businesses and went to households to be updated. Going to someones house could influence one to be envious