WALDEN-by-Henry-David-Thoreau瓦尔登湖.ppt

ContentHenry David Thoreau 1Synopsis of Walden2Themes of Walden34Summary & Viewpoint1.1 Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 May 6, 1862) was an American author, philosopher, a leading member of transcendentalism. He was graduated from Harvard University, and he was a disciple, a friend of Emerson who was a representive of Transcendetalism. Thoreau once refused to pay tax to protest against the Mexican War and slavry then he was imprisoned for it. But The next day Thoreau was freed when someone, like his aunt, paid the tax against his wishes. His behavior had influnced some people in 20th century such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Jr.1.2 Background of Walden In 19th century, with the rapid development of productivity, people increaslingly realized the importance of materialism, the pursuit of material had been increasingly severe. But the better material condition had not brought ease in peoples mentality. Under this background, Thoreau stayed two years and two months near by Walden pond to pursue the ideal lifestyle. His opinion was back to nature. During these two years, Thoreau simplified everything, living a simple life. Henry David Thoreau, Where I Lived, and What I Lived For He wanted to prove that people should not indulge in endless pursuit of material through his practice. So he started to write Walden to encourage people to value mental quality towards life.2.1 Synopsis of Walden1. Economy2. Complemental Verses3. Where I Lived， and What I Lived for4. Reading5. Sounds6. Solitude7. Visitors8. The Beanfield9. The Village10. The Ponds11. Baker Farm12. Higher Laws13. Brute Neighbors14. House-Warming15. Former Inhabitants； and Winter Visitors16. Winter Animals17. The Pond in Winter18. Spring19. Conclusion2.2 Synopsis of WaldenIn this first and longest chapter, Thoreau outlines his project: a two-year, two-month, and two-day stay at a cozy, tightly shingled and plastered, English-style 10 15 cottage in the woods near Walden Pond. He does this, he says, to illustrate the spiritual benefits of a simplified lifestyle. He easily supplies the four necessities of life (food, shelter, clothing, and fuel) with the help of family and friends, particularly his mother, his best friend, and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Waldo Emerson. The latter provided Thoreau with a work exchange he could build a small house and plant a garden if he cleared some land on the woodlot and did other chores while there.Thoreau meticulously records his expenditures and earnings, demonstrating his understanding of economy, as he builds his house and buys and grows food. For a home and freedom, he spent a mere $28.12, in 1845 (about $863 in todays money). At the end of this chapter, Thoreau inserts a poem, The Pretensions of Poverty, by seventeenth-century English poet Thomas Carew. The poem criticizes those who think that their poverty gives them unearned moral and intellectual superiority. The chapter is filled with figures of practical advice, facts, big ideas about individualism versus social existence.manifesto of social thought and meditations on domestic management. Much attention is devoted to the skepticism and wonderment with which townspeople greeted both him and his project as he tries to protect his views from those of the townspeople who seem to view society as the only place to live. He recounts the reasons for his move to Walden Pond along with detailed steps back to the construction of his new home (methods, support, etc.).3.1 Themes of WaldenNaturalism. “Back to Nature” was the basic idea of Walden, Thoreau claimed people should not forget the pleasure of living near to nature.Simplicity: Simplicity seems to be Thoreaus model for life. Throughout the book, Thoreau constantly sought to simplify his lifestyle: he lived simply and deliberately, devoting his time to observation and reflection. He patched his clothes rather than buy new ones and minimized his consumer activity.Self-reliance: Thoreau refused to be in need of the companionship of others. He realized its significance, but he thought it unnecessary to always be in search for it. Self-reliance, to him, was economic and social and was a principle that in terms of financial and interpersonal relations was more valuable than anything. To Thoreau, self-reliance can be both spiritual as well as economic. Connection to transcendentalism and to Emersons essay.3.2 Themes of Walden From the perspective of ecology, Thoreau initially attached the importance on the harmonious relationship between human and nature. At the same time, he came up with some ideas about experiencing the most rewarding life by living near to nature. It was not simply a mirror of what he literally saw but a reflection of his philosophy. Same as Emerson, he believed that the Spiritual Limitation was commonly existed among the people. The all present spiritual nature corresponds to the divine intuition of an individual. Walden now has become a symbol of natural lifestyle, a pursuit of simple life as well as the destination of soul.4.1 Summary Descriptive Features:Linguistic Features:Writing Features:The essay is so exquisite that its full of poetry. The changeable colors of the lake, the splendid surroundings are all what the author goes after. It shows that he has mixed himself with the nature closely.The essay is very simple without magnficent words. It is just like the ordinary life in Walden and the transparency of the lake, which gives readers visual impact and psychological enjoyment.The author uses a lot of angles and figures of speech tostructure the essay, such as Metaphor, Personification, Exaggeration, etc. The feelings can be found by depicting specific sceneries. A lake is the landscapes most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earths eye, looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next to the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it and the wooded hills and cliff around are its overhanging brows. Metaphor 湖是风景中最美、最有表情的姿容，她是大地的眼睛，望着她的人可以测出他自己的天性的深浅。湖所产生的湖边的树木都是睫毛一样的镶边，而四周林郁葱葱的群山和山崖是她浓密突出的眉毛。 Thoreau uses his imagination to claim that people should respect and care about individual life. It reveals his universal naturalism.4.2 Viewpoints After our members read this meaningful book, we all think it is a beautiful book that is full of wisdom and philosophy. The author lives close to the nature and leads a simple life, showing his persuit to freedom. The greatness of the book lies in his determination to his dream by art and a kind of favorable form, which makes him renew his living. THANK YOU