Topic > Where I Lived and What I Experienced: Social Isolation Experiment

Henry David Thoreau was an American author who will perhaps be considered one of the most opinionated advocates of environmentalism. He became famous for his violent outbursts against nature and the injustice of society. Being a strong advocate of environmentalism, Thoreau believed that nature was the epitome of the spiritual world and that people should free themselves from the responsibilities of society to undertake nature theology. Thoreau trusts that, in place of using nature as a symbol of the sacred world or making it comparable to the sacred world that is out there, there should now be an awareness that nature itself is the sacred world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayThoreau presents his work, Walden, as a prayer for transcendentalism. Among the core values ​​of the Transcendentalists were the fundamental righteousness of both people and nature, and they understood that individuals remained at their best when they had faith in themselves. The persistent key theme that emerges in transcendentalism is a summary of nature. Thoreau moved to Walden Pond to conduct an experiment in personal liberation as opposed to social interaction: this was not isolation but was instead an experiment in the truest form. Thoreau sets out for Walden Pond to look, discover, and study, prompting his transcendentalist philosophies. In Walden, Thoreau clarifies his views on transcendentalism through his descriptions of nature and gratitude for the sounds of nature. Thoreau's writings in Walden, especially Where I Lived and What I Lived For, Solitude, and Conclusion, are an overview of the experiment he completed. He completed a social isolation experiment and wrote about the entire experience in Walden. In this experiment, he was only a mile away from society, although it was not absolute isolation. Thoreau believes that instead of applying nature as a symbol (or metaphor) of the spiritual world or giving importance to the proximity of the spiritual world, there must now be an awareness that nature, in this case, is the spiritual world. . The main things to focus on in these three readings are: 'why and how did he do this experiment; developed new relationships that she felt she was missing out on due to isolation; And what did he learn from this experiment; as well as his views on nature and what he witnessed from nature during this period. first explaining why he chose the location he did for his cabin and how he made that decision. He explains how he talked to neighboring farmers about their land, how he looked at the land he was interested in, and how he almost became a kind of real estate broker for his friends because he was always talking about how much the land was valued at and how much he looked at it. But once he found the 'perfect' place for himself, he stated: "I discovered many sites for houses that probably would not be improved soon, that some might have thought were too far from the village, but in my eyes, the village was too far from it. Well, there I could live, I said; and there I lived, for an hour, a summer life and a winter one; I saw how I could let the years pass, get through the winter, and see the spring come." he found a place to spend many seasons and a place isolated enough to make him realize what he was missing when he let the years pass him by After setting the stage for the experiment and getting into the presentation of the details, he shows the part of Transcendentalism that is nature and explains what he believed was happening and what toattended. Thoreau believed he had cared for the birds living in the trees just outside his cabin instead of engaging them in his home. He states: “…for I suddenly found myself near the birds; not just for imprisoning one, but for caging myself near them. I was closer not only to some of those who habitually frequent the garden, but to those who are the wildest and most exciting singers of the forest who never, or rarely, serenade a villager...". He uses the birds around him as a symbol of the nature he has surrounded himself with. In this chapter of Walden, Thoreau explains why he completed this experiment. He explains that he wanted to live a life independent of everyday things. He states: "I went into the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to face only the essential facts of life, and see if I could learn what it had to teach, and not, when I was about to die, find that I had not lived. I did not want to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I want to resign myself, unless it were absolutely necessary." so he went to live alone and in solitude. In the chapter of Walden, "Solitude", Thoreau shows the relationship and attitude he has developed with God, nature, life and health and explains why it is perfectly healthy for him to spend a lot of time alone in nature. It presents the idea of ​​literally living in solitude and how living in communion with nature is good for the mind, body and soul. During this time, Thoreau sees particular elements of nature that he usually does not they attract him but are now more evident to him. He states: "As I walk along the stony bank of the pond in my shirtsleeves, although it is cool, cloudy and windy, and I see nothing special to attract me, all the elements are unusually congenial to me." Thoreau is trying to show his audience that being alone does not mean being alone, but that even a man standing in a crowded room or one that has only two parts of life – work and sleep – is equally lonely. He is trying to show his audience that no matter what the situation is, he is alone. He states: “I find it healthy to be alone most of the time. Being in the company, even of the best, quickly becomes tiring and dissipating. I love being alone. I have never found a companion as sociable as solitude. We are lonelier when we go abroad among men than when we remain in our rooms. A man who thinks or works is always alone, leave him where he wants." Thoreau is trying to show his audience that it doesn't matter who the company is, if the people around don't make you happy, then they are not considered the company and therefore you are alone. He further states: “Loneliness is not measured by the miles of space between a man and his fellow men.” Thoreau believes that loneliness is not measured by distance but by those around you. This experiment helped Thoreau learn a lot about nature and solitude. In the final chapter of Walden, "Conclusion", Thoreau concludes the entire story of Walden with the belief that there will soon be a resurrection of humanity. Thoreau talks about the main lesson he learned during this experiment. It's about how every man can be successful in learning his place in this world if he follows his dreams and does the things he wants to do. He states: “I learned this, at least, from my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and strives to live the life he has imagined, he will encounter unexpected success in ordinary hours.” He wants his audience to live their lives in a way that makes them happy. Then he continues.