As a follower of transcendentalism, Thoreau projected individualism in his literary works, Walden and "Civil Disobedience." ... Thoreau stated, "I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole genuine meanness of it, and publish it meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my n...

• Word Count: 2165
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

Even though offering opposing ideas on the various aspects of earthly life, the two literary classics visibly share a common concern for the functions of society, and it is evident that Sinclair Lewis, in his satirical voice, actually viewed the work of Thoreau with the utmost respect. ... Thoreau's simplemindedness in terms of food and diet can be seen in his disregard of yeast and even salt as a necessity to one's survival. ...

• Word Count: 3576
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: High School