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Emerson open's up his essay Nature with some valuable insight about the present times. "Our age is retrospective Why should not we have a poetry and philosophy of insight and not of tradition Let us demand our own works and laws worship (Emerson 35)." Emerson is arguing that why should our generation and future generations be subjected to a life that has already been lived. Nature is the key to living an individual life, free of other generations" experiences, thoughts and beliefs. Again, nature is ever changing and people have to encounter there own original experience with themselves through nature. Man should look inwards and evolve as a person through nature. Emerson believes that to know thyself is the key and not material goods. Would America be the nation of simplicity and self-reliance or a country obsessed with material goods and consumption? .
"With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have ever lived a more simple and meager life than the poor (Thoreau 12)." Thoreau is also arguing that the simple life will allow the mind and spirit to flourish. .
Both Thoreau and Emerson expressed their feelings, doubts, and predictions about the current state of the American people in the 19th century. America was a nation on the rise. It was now an independent country from Great Britain and flourished under the Triangular Trade and mercantilism. With the coming of industry and capitalism, Thoreau and Emerson found themselves on the far left of the economic spectrum. But these two transcendentalists", who did not think inside the box, strove to show what they believed the essential American citizen should become to better his country, his family, and himself. They believed that these democratic people needed to slow down and get back to their roots. They preached to try things for yourself and evolve through individual experiences. .
Thoreau's Walden takes Emerson's essay and embraces the ideals of a transcendentalist, utopian society.
