 What is Transcendentalism?  How is it different than Romanticism?

 In March, 1845, Thoreau decided to build a cabin by Walden Pond, near Concord, Massachusetts  This his “personal experiment”  His goal was to discover what he could about human nature

 Knowing what we do about Transcendentalism, why would being alone in the woods help Thoreau discover more about human nature? › Think about the relationship he’s trying to build and with whom › Think about how the transcendentalists view society and civilization as opposed to the wilderness

 Spends his days paying attention to the flora and fauna of the woods  Cut off from society indefinitely  Ends up being arrested for a night for not paying a tax › He also thinks government should be as hands-off as possible

 Why would the transcendentalists be against a controlling government? › Think about how they view society versus wilderness

 Thoreau goes to the cabin in March 1845 and leaves in September 1847  Much of his writing is about nature later in his writings › Earlier, he’s getting settled in › Later, he can pay attention to all of the changes happening in nature from season to season

 Where would you retreat to and what would you be studying about the world?  Assuming you’re there in solitude for 2.5 years, what would you be worried about before starting your study?  After the 2.5 years, what thoughts would you have about returning to society?

 Walden is one of many ponds Thoreau mentions in the piece  However, this is the title of his book  We know he writes the most about the thawing of this pond in the window

 Why would Thoreau name his writing after that specific pond?

 For each quote, answer the following questions › What does this quote mean? › Do you agree or disagree with this quote? › Why?