English 341

2/17/97

Thoreau's Walden and Individual Economic Simplicity (Chapters 1 & 2)

Henry David Thoreau, "the man of Concord" as Emerson put it, is regarded by some to be the "most challenging major writer America has produced" often planting the seeds of discontentment in the mind of the reader (Norton Anthology of American Literature, Vol. 1 1678). When one approaches Walden this appraisal is readily met with approbation. From the very first sentence of the work Thoreau makes his approach apparent: "I do not propose to write an ode to dejection, but to brag as lustily as chanticleer in the morning, standing on his roost, if only to wake my neighbor up" (1).

Edward Said noted that "a beginning immediately establishes relationships with works already existing, relationships of either continuity or antagonism or some mixture of both" (Beginnings 3). In the opening pages of Walden Thoreau establishes a relationship with the economic establishment that can be described as challenging, even antagonistic: "No way of thinking or doing, however ancient, can be trusted without proof" (5). His statement that "trade curses everything it handles" is certainly not in cohesion with the writings of Adam Smith. And in the first two chapters of Walden Thoreau continues by questioning humankind's "way of thinking and doing "when it comes to economics, namely food, clothing, and shelter.

However, before Thoreau attempts to make any observations on the state of homo economicus, he establishes his credibility by speaking of himself in a most peculiar way : "I have travelled a good deal in Concord. . . ." (2). Of course he has -- he has lived nearly his entire life in Concord. Why then does he used the word travel? To me it appears that Thoreau wants to place himself in the position of an outsider, as one who is objective and free of bias. And, based on the comments that Thoreau makes on the attitude of his neighbors toward his "experiment," outsider is not an entirely inappropriate designation for Thoreau. He does not fit in to the community around him. The concept of individuality is pervasive throughout the first two chapters of Walden. Even after demonstrating the success of his little economic experiment, Thoreau is unwilling to prescribe one set method: "I would not have any one adopt my mode of living on any account" (48). Instead, each individual is to devise his or her own way of living "simply and wisely" (48), "traveling "alone so as not to be hindered by another's pace and ways (49).

But why the emphasis on individuality? In Thoreau's estimation human individuality was being lost or "absorbed" in the face of rising materialism (21), the offshoot of the Industrial Revolution which was sweeping England and starting to affect the United States. The luxuries that this economic tide brought with it were a stumbling stone, "positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind" (9). Thoreau even smiles on the Mucclasse custom putting old, unnecessary possessions to the flame, as opposed to selling them at an auction (46).

Thoreau's residence, then, at Walden Pond is an attempt to demonstrate that comfort was not "indispensable," and that a richer and more blessed existence can be found in simplicity. He wants to "live deliberately", and focus on that which is "essential" to life (61). Everything superfluous is discarded. Even a doormat which is kindly offered by a neighbor is refused because it would complicate Thoreau's time -- he would have to shake it out. Simplicity is the rooster's responsive cry to the dawn of mass consumerism.

In chapter 2, "Where I Lived, and What I Lived For" parallels the emphasis of "Economy" (chapter 1) -- "Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity" (62) and "a man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to leave alone" (55). In chapter 1 Thoreau lays out the experiment and describes the process, offering some commentary, but in chapter 2 he states his ideas most succinctly. The following sentence excellently summarizes his antagonism to the rise of consumerism:

The nation itself, with all its so called internal improvements, which, by the way, are all external and superficial, is just such an unwieldy and overgrown establishment, cluttered with furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined by luxury and heedless expense, by want of calculation and a worthy aim, as the million households in the land; and the only cure for it as for them is in a rigid economy of a stern and more than Spartan simplicity of life and elevation of purpose (62).

In chapters 1 and 2 of Walden we see that Thoreau wants to "live deep and suck out all the marrow of life" (61), as opposed to living a life of externality and superficiality found in that which we own. Possessions burn the fingers that possess them. But simplicity liberates. And so, the first verse of Thoreau's "Sermon on the Pond" is: Blessed are the poor and simple, for they shall be unhindered in their travels to the heights of meaningful living. The challenge to American consumerism is unmistakable, even 150 years after its initial utterance. And the neighbors continue to wake up, some with joy and some with irritation.