"Walden," by Henry David Thoreau, offers a unique perspective on living alone and having a simple life. His book depicts a time of his life spent living by Walden Pond in the country. This book, based on the journals kept during Thoreau's stay at the pond, explains how another can achieve such a simple life or exist with nature. Many interpretations of Walden exist; however, its most prominent understanding subsists as a nature book that exhibits Thoreau's beliefs and observations on nature.
The belief of transcendentalism centered on the idea that nature is the basis of self-revelations if one is truly looking hard enough. Walden portrays nature in great depth throughout the book. Thoreau pays a high attention to detail, going to lengths to depict his surroundings, showing off his vast quantity of knowledge. Contrasting to the "usual " nature book, parts of Walden represent more of the human nature. Thoreau shows how human nature is a difficult thing for most to understand by stating how "easily and insensible [humans] fall into [a] particular route, and make a beaten track for [themselves]"" (913). People are scared of branching out to the unfamiliar. The concept of the "unknown" is frightening to many, and most are not willing to test their luck with it. Walden depicts this rut that humanity falls into, and how can be challenging to recognize. Still, Thoreau's book is not a book indicating the faults with humanity but rather a way for him to remark on the general society and how it can change for the better.
Still, through this take on the nature of humanity, Thoreau sees animals as beings that reflect on humans. He writes how "they are all beasts of burden, " and how they can be used to "carry some portion of our thoughts" (893). While his writing may seem to describe human nature to a point at which most can understand, Thoreau also defines the nonhuman aspects of nature. Throughout Walden, Thoreau pays great attention to his surroundings at the pond, admiring the small details of the forest with an expert eye.
