Questions

1. How does Henry David Thoreau characterize life in New England at the time he went to live at Walden? How do you regard that characterization? To what extent might it apply to life today?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - How does Henry David Thoreau characterize life in New England at the time he went to live at Walden? How do you regard that characterization? To what extent might it apply to life today?
2. About the different ways in which people live their lives, Thoreau writes, “This is the only way, we say; but there are as many ways as there can be drawn radii from one centre” (par. 7). Do you agree? Why or why not?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - About the different ways in which people live their lives, Thoreau writes, “This is the only way, we say; but there are as many ways as there can be drawn radii from one centre” (par. 7). Do you agree? Why or why not?
3. Being extremely economical in his assessment even for his own time, Thoreau denotes what he calls “necessary of life” and what he considers near necessities (par. 9). 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” (par. 10). Do you agree with this statement? What would we add to his list today? Which things that Thoreau considered luxuries do we now deem necessities?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - Being extremely economical in his assessment even for his own time, Thoreau denotes what he calls “necessary of life” and what he considers near necessities (par. 9). 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” (par. 10). Do you agree with this statement? What would we add to his list today? Which things that Thoreau considered luxuries do we now deem necessities?
4. Thoreau writes, “There are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers. Yet it is admirable to profess because it was once admirable to live” (par. 10). What does he mean? To what extent does he speak to our time as well as to his own?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   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” (par. 10). What does he mean? To what extent does he speak to our time as well as to his own?
5. How would you describe Thoreau’s tone in the first two sentences of paragraph 11? How is his attitude relevant to our current economy?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - How would you describe Thoreau’s tone in the first two sentences of paragraph 11? How is his attitude relevant to our current economy?
6. Thoreau says that he will talk about how he has spent his life in years past and “hint at some of the enterprises which I have cherished” (par. 13). How would you paraphrase the account that he provides in the next eight paragraphs (pars. 14–21)?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - Thoreau says that he will talk about how he has spent his life in years past and “hint at some of the enterprises which I have cherished” (par. 13). How would you paraphrase the account that he provides in the next eight paragraphs (pars. 14–21)?
7. Who is Thoreau’s intended audience in paragraph 2? How does he characterize that audience? Who is it in paragraph 12? Which one is more likely to attend to his message? Is such an audience living today?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - Who is Thoreau’s intended audience in paragraph 2? How does he characterize that audience? Who is it in paragraph 12? Which one is more likely to attend to his message? Is such an audience living today?
8. What is the purpose of the example that Thoreau introduces in paragraph 22? Do you agree with the lesson that he draws from it? Explain.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - What is the purpose of the example that Thoreau introduces in paragraph 22? Do you agree with the lesson that he draws from it? Explain.
9. How does Thoreau characterize himself in paragraphs 23–25?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - How does Thoreau characterize himself in paragraphs 23–25?
10. Thoreau calls student life at “Cambridge College” (Harvard University, from which Thoreau had graduated) as “this expensive game” (par. 26). Do you agree with Thoreau’s ideas about education? Make specific references to the text of paragraph 26 in your answer.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - Thoreau calls student life at “Cambridge College” (Harvard University, from which Thoreau had graduated) as “this expensive game” (par. 26). Do you agree with Thoreau’s ideas about education? Make specific references to the text of paragraph 26 in your answer.
11. What is Thoreau calling for when he writes, “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!” and enjoins his readers to “simplify, simplify” (par. 31)? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - What is Thoreau calling for when he writes, “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!” and enjoins his readers to “simplify, simplify” (par. 31)? Explain.
12. Thoreau writes, “We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us” (par. 31). Consider an electronic device (such as a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet, an MP3 player, or such social networks as Facebook and Twitter). What would Thoreau say about it? Has this device helped simplify our lives or has it had a negative impact on them? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - Thoreau writes, “We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us” (par. 31). Consider an electronic device (such as a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet, an MP3 player, or such social networks as Facebook and Twitter). What would Thoreau say about it? Has this device helped simplify our lives or has it had a negative impact on them? Explain.
13. Thoreau writes, “What news! how much more important to know what that is which was never old!” (par. 34). Write an essay in which you evaluate Thoreau’s own writing according to this thought. Consider how this essay appeals to two audiences: the contemporaneous and the contemporary.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - Thoreau writes, “What news! how much more important to know what that is which was never old!” (par. 34). Write an essay in which you evaluate Thoreau’s own writing according to this thought. Consider how this essay appeals to two audiences: the contemporaneous and the contemporary.
14. What does Thoreau mean by the phrase “starved before we are hungry” (par. 32)? What other examples of paradox do you find in this excerpt from Walden? How do they contribute to Thoreau’s main ideas?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - What does Thoreau mean by the phrase “starved before we are hungry” (par. 32)? What other examples of paradox do you find in this excerpt from Walden? How do they contribute to Thoreau’s main ideas?
15. How do you interpret Thoreau’s assertion that “[s]hams and delusions are esteemed for soundless truths, while reality is fabulous” (par. 35)? Using that statement as a topic sentence, develop the idea with examples from your own experience.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - How do you interpret Thoreau’s assertion that “[s]hams and delusions are esteemed for soundless truths, while reality is fabulous” (par. 35)? Using that statement as a topic sentence, develop the idea with examples from your own experience.
16. Thoreau speaks of the “government of the world I live in” (par. 46). What does he mean? How would you describe the world that he lives in? What governs it?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - Thoreau speaks of the “government of the world I live in” (par. 46). What does he mean? How would you describe the world that he lives in? What governs it?
17. One of the rhetorical techniques that Thoreau uses most is analogy (he even states at one point, “so much for analogy”). Identify three examples of his use of analogy and explain which one you find most compelling or effective.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - One of the rhetorical techniques that Thoreau uses most is analogy (he even states at one point, “so much for analogy”). Identify three examples of his use of analogy and explain which one you find most compelling or effective.
18. Thoreau concludes Walden as follows: “The light which puts out our eyes is darkness to us. Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star” (par. 48). Do you see this as a fitting conclusion? Explain what Thoreau means. Why does he conclude this way?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - Thoreau concludes Walden as follows: “The light which puts out our eyes is darkness to us. Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star” (par. 48). Do you see this as a fitting conclusion? Explain what Thoreau means. Why does he conclude this way?
19. Do you think Thoreau’s advice and sentiments are meant as recommendations for living one’s entire life or as suggestions for periodically reflecting on life’s true meaning? Is he suggesting isolation as a way of life? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - Do you think Thoreau’s advice and sentiments are meant as recommendations for living one’s entire life or as suggestions for periodically reflecting on life’s true meaning? Is he suggesting isolation as a way of life? Explain.
20. Thoreau is known for his epigrammatic statements, some of which have become so popular and familiar that they adorn posters, bumper stickers, and coffee mugs. Select your favorite one from the reading and explain why you find it so compelling.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

    Questions: - Thoreau is known for his epigrammatic statements, some of which have become so popular and familiar that they adorn posters, bumper stickers, and coffee mugs. Select your favorite one from the reading and explain why you find it so compelling.