Questions

1. Do you agree with E. O. Wilson’s characterization of Walden as a work of art? Why or why not?

   Question

   Questions: - Do you agree with E. O. Wilson’s characterization of Walden as a work of art? Why or why not?
2. While Wilson’s essay praises Thoreau, there are places where he is critical of the Thoreau “myth.” Choose two. How does Wilson’s critical attitude affect his ethos? Is it effective with the reader? Explain.

   Question

   Questions: - While Wilson’s essay praises Thoreau, there are places where he is critical of the Thoreau “myth.” Choose two. How does Wilson’s critical attitude affect his ethos? Is it effective with the reader? Explain.
3. In paragraphs 7–9, Wilson discusses Thoreau’s purpose. How accurate do you find his account? Use references to Walden to support your position.

   Question

   Questions: - In paragraphs 7–9, Wilson discusses Thoreau’s purpose. How accurate do you find his account? Use references to Walden to support your position.
4. Note the rhetorical shift in paragraph 11. How do you suppose Thoreau might react to this shift? How might he respond to Wilson’s “bad news”?

   Question

   Questions: - Note the rhetorical shift in paragraph 11. How do you suppose Thoreau might react to this shift? How might he respond to Wilson’s “bad news”?
5. Notice that Wilson begins his peroration by addressing his reader, “Henry, my friend.” While Henry David Thoreau is nominally his audience, we know that the actual audience consists of contemporary twenty-first-century readers. How does Wilson’s attitude toward his audience differ when addressing those different audiences? Be specific.

   Question

   Questions: - Notice that Wilson begins his peroration by addressing his reader, “Henry, my friend.” While Henry David Thoreau is nominally his audience, we know that the actual audience consists of contemporary twenty-first-century readers. How does Wilson’s attitude toward his audience differ when addressing those different audiences? Be specific.
6. How would you paraphrase Wilson’s main idea? Be specific.

   Question

   Questions: - How would you paraphrase Wilson’s main idea? Be specific.