Allegories and Wisdom of the Ancients
Let's start by saying that Thoreau was a pretty well-informed dude. And that's putting it lightly. Many of the allegories that he uses in Walden are actually citations of parables from various non-...
Savages
In the 19th century, the term "savage" didn't only bring to mind Fred Savage, the adorable kid from The Princess Bride. In fact, it didn't to that at all. Instead, it was used to refer to non-Europ...
Animal Allegories
For Thoreau, animals aren't just woodland buddies, they're also a poetic inspiration, helping him communicate key truths about human nature. Here are some of the most striking animal allegories: Th...
Vision and Awakening
Walden opens and closes on the theme of waking up (think Lost), and Thoreau continuously emphasizes the idea of opening our eyes to see the natural and spiritual beauty of the world. Actually, we a...
The Pond
"I am thankful that this pond was made deep and pure for a symbol," writes Thoreau (Pond in Winter.6). Walden Pond is not just the setting, but also an important symbol in the book. Everything abou...
Thawing Mud
Thoreau is inspired by… mud. Yes, mud. The sight of this humble substance thawing initiates Thoreau's reflections on the interconnectedness of everything in life, from the muckiest mud to the mos...