Walden - The American Economy :: Thoreau Walden Essays

Walden - The American Economy When the American people think of the word economy; money and the government often come to mind. In Greek Eco means the household and Nomy means to manage something. So why do American's tend to think of money and ownership when they think of the word "Economy?" Are Americans mearly living a career or are they living some other narrowly focused routine? Is a worthwhile lifestyle being lived? In Walden by Henry David Thoreau, Thoreau describes what is wrong with the American culture and society and how solitude can make the human pure. Thoreau sets out to build a house in the woods to try and demonstrate that every person can live a simple life. When he begins his stay at Walden Pond he only has an ax that he has borrowed. His house is built and he moves in on July 4, 1845 (420).. He becomes very familiar with nature and his surroundings and less familiar with the humane society. According to Moss, "He views the ponds as pure, sacred wells and as places for spirtual renewal" (421). He feels that the soal needs to be cleansed in order to discover the real meaning of life and be able to enjoy it. Too many people are content with the surface of life and merely following tradition. Thoreau wants people to look deeper into nature. Throughout Throreau's stay at Walden Pond, he encourages America to take a deeper look at life. Thoreau begins his essay with an explanation of exactly why he went to stay at Walen Pond. Joyce Moss writes, "He went out to live in the wilderness by himself- to demonstrate that it is possible to