Book Review Example on "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau

Walden is a written account of Henry Thoreau's life in a cabin he lived in alone for two years. He examines the fundamental elements of humanity through his experience. He lives, and in solitude, in a cabin, he builds himself in the woods near the pond. The pond is located deep in the woods outside the town in Concord, Massachusetts. When he leaves the cabin near the pond, he has the satisfaction that human beings can live well without being trapped by civilization. The author introduces Walden by expressing his dismay towards society, prioritizing wealth and labor over wisdom. He then explains that he intends to live a simple life, with only the basic needs he requires for his survival. This simple living is his way of cultivating spiritual and intellectual awareness. Throughout this piece, Thoreau embraces solitude and spends his time in the wilderness, reflecting and observing the natural world's sights and sounds. His view of nature shows his desire to learn more about the natural world and be in sync with nature.

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During his life in the woods, he deeply contemplates how nature is reflected in humans' consciousness. An excellent example is how Thoreau emphasizes the importance of reading books, primarily philosophical texts concerning the spiritual condition and truths about humans. He also endeavors to observe the sonic and visual splendors of nature in their purest form. In his solitude, he gets ample time to meditate with only the sounds of nature; occasionally, he is interrupted by hissing by the railroad nearby. He particularly enjoys listening to birds in the forest and watching wild animals' interactions in their natural habitat. Due to his immersion in nature in his solitude, he concludes that nature is the best companion. Despite his connection with nature, he admits that he is not entirely disconnected form the civilized world. He is close enough to hear the railroad, and church bells, and get visitors. When he explains his visits, he enjoys spending time with those who seek a simple life. Thoreau admits that whereas having conversations with his visitors is something he enjoys; he also reveres other natural men living in the woods. He depicts that when other people are free from the laws governing society, he feels more connected to them.

Thoreau's experiment of living in the woods determines whether humans need material possessions, which were considered essential in the mid-19th century in America. His findings show that one could attain a good life by being in harmony with nature with bare necessities. In the first chapter, under the title Economy, he shows how humans are few and don't need to exploit nature to attain their needs. The rest of the book attacks the inquisitive spirit. According to Thoreau, material values indicate a lack of spiritual self-reliance. In his ethical view, ownership of land is invalid. He asserts that humans should not act as squires but as stewards.

Being a transendalist author, he advocates introspective experimental pursuits, showing his belief in how wisdom and experience are more important than wealth. According to his views, knowledge is nourishment. Thoreau seeks truth above everything else in the belief that it gives human beings greater access to the spiritual realm. He sympathizes with those who do not find authentic, enlightening experiences but choose mediocrity. The job I want to pursue is to be part of the Human resources team at the Coca-Cola company. The key lesson valuable to people seeking a career in human resources is the importance of ethics over wealth. Also, experience and wisdom are more valuable compared to wealth. Thoreau urges the readers to engage with the natural world more meaningfully through observation. He calls them to see the beauty that manifests through changing seasons reflected in the pond's clear water. Such observation will help in gaining insights into a purposeful life. Thoreau farms his crops and builds his house through the investment of self-reliance and individualism. He realizes that as long as he lives responsibly, he can sustain himself without money. Here, self-reliance and responsible living is other crucial lessons, to ensure survival even career-wise. Here, money should not be prioritized over other essential values, but sustainable use of resources; the book advocates for the rejection of materialism and a search for contentment, which is not complicated.

We see the author's love for nature in his description of Flora and Fauna, natural processes, and the Walden Pond. He measures the depths of the lake; counts every penny he uses in building his house and ponders all the profit from the sale of his garden produce. His key lesson is how science is not useful, but subordinate to a guiding spirit that does not exploit, but respects and loves the natural environment. Walden relentlessly demonstrates the apparent relationships between humankind's ethical life and nature and their interconnectedness, which ought to be respected. Here, Thoreau shows the importance of spirit-guided relationships and values in the workplace. Ethical values are very relevant in today's workplace, and a lack of them can lead to many conflicts. To achieve moral values, Thoreau advises that humans need to look deeply into their spirituality. Therefore, Ethics is an essential element in every workplace and for everyone.

His zealous rejection of conventionality resonates with young people who are struggling to reconceive the world's order, which is oppressive. Walden encourages them to feel that they are somehow above the oppressive systems. His quote that "a mass men lead lives of quiet depression," stands to be accurate, even though he was a confession about his state (Walden 56). Besides, he says that "still we live meanly like ants,"; showing how humans have become focused on just accumulating material possessions while living ungenerous and narrow lives. This is because people allow things to accumulate, which are not essential.

As a consequence, such things divert humans from the core of life. Just like misers, people accumulate more than what they need without enjoying them. Accordingly, people are so accumulated with work, that they do not get enough time to enjoy and explore their spirituality. Thoreau's lesson is also applicable in the field of HR and any other area as it teaches working on a moderate level while taking enough time to enjoy. It also explains that greed is not helpful, and people should only accumulate what they need.

The concepts in Walden are closely related to those in the American Dream where he says “We have become slave drivers of ourselves.” Here he also criticizes how humans are focused on accumulating more than they need hence forging their silver fetters. In Civil Disobedience, he emphasizes intuition and individualism, similar to the self-reliance and spirituality in Walden.

Conclusion

To conclude, Walden is a story of empowerment showing the radical potential of nature and how it can change those who willingly expose themselves to her. Walden speaks tour time as it did to Thoreau's time.

Works Cited

Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. Yale University Press, 2006.