Questions

  1. Thoreau makes much use of analogy and metaphor, saying, in fact, at one point, “So much for analogy” (para. 2). Select three examples of analogy and/or metaphor from this selection, and explain how they contribute to Thoreau’s argument.

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - 1. from “Economy” - Questions: Thoreau makes much use of analogy and metaphor, saying, in fact, at one point, “So much for analogy” (para. 2). Select three examples of analogy and/or metaphor from this selection, and explain how they contribute to Thoreau’s argument.
  2. Being extremely economical in his assessment even for his own time, Thoreau denotes what he calls “grand necessity” and what he considers near necessities (para. 3). And he writes, “Most of the luxuries, and many of the so called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hinderances to the elevation of mankind” (para. 4). Do you agree with this statement? What would you add to his list today? Which things that Thoreau would consider luxuries do we now deem as necessities?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - 1. from “Economy” - Questions: Being extremely economical in his assessment even for his own time, Thoreau denotes what he calls “grand necessity” and what he considers near necessities (para. 3). And he writes, “Most of the luxuries, and many of the so called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hinderances to the elevation of mankind” (para. 4). Do you agree with this statement? What would you add to his list today? Which things that Thoreau would consider luxuries do we now deem as necessities?
  3. Thoreau writes, “There are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers. Yet it is admirable to profess because it was once admirable to live” (para. 4). What does he mean? To what extent does he speak to our time as well as his own?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - 1. from “Economy” - Questions: Thoreau writes, “There are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers. Yet it is admirable to profess because it was once admirable to live” (para. 4). What does he mean? To what extent does he speak to our time as well as his own?
  4. How would you describe Thoreau’s tone in the first two sentences of paragraph 5? How is his attitude relevant to our current economy?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - 1. from “Economy” - Questions: How would you describe Thoreau’s tone in the first two sentences of paragraph 5? How is his attitude relevant to our current economy?
  5. Who is Thoreau’s intended audience? How does he characterize that audience in paragraph 6? Is such an audience living today?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 7 - 1. from “Economy” - Questions: Who is Thoreau’s intended audience? How does he characterize that audience in paragraph 6? Is such an audience living today?