Thoreaus Masculinity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Thoreaus Masculinity - Essay ExampleHe as well served as an abolitionist against slain truth for his entire life by lecturing across the country against the Fugitive Slave Law. all(prenominal) mans search for wisdom can be connected to Thoreaus simple search for truth, in which he praises these ternion main characteristics as the most admirable qualities of the American man.Thoreaus theoretical energy was inspired by the wild. He found it necessary to live free in the wilderness provided by Walden Pond for two years and two months , in order to find the clarity he needed to search for truth. He followed the vox populi set by Plato, that wisdom is attained through the continuous pursuit of truth. This was a purpose originated by Platos mentor Socrates through his ideals of continuous self analysis. All, of which, is presumed impart lead one to the most meaningful life. In his piece, Natural History of Massachusetts he says, You cannot go into whatever field or wood, scarce it will seem as if every stone had been turned, and the bark on every tree ripped up. But, after all, it is much(prenominal) easier to discover than to see when the cover is off. It has been well said that the attitude of inspection is prone. Wisdom does not inspect, but behold Thoreau, pp. 130-131). Here as Thoreau teaches patience through the appreciation of nature. He also argues in opt of self preservation in that he promotes the preservation of nature and believes man to be as every bit a part of nature as any other animal in the wild.Virtue is also a core ideal that Thoreau aspires for in his writing and in turn convinces the reader to aspire for as well. He would often contrast virtue with usual ideals at the time which he felt were unbefitting to the ideal American male, but he also often spoke directly on the fantasy of morality and virtuous behavior. In his 1849 piece, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers he says, utterly speaking, Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you is by no means a golden rule, but the best of watercourse silver. An honest man would have but little occasion for it. It is golden notto have any rule at all in such a case (Thoreau, p.74). In his chapter on economy, Thoreau contrasts the popular view of inherited wealth. Where most people would consider inheriting great wealth as a blessing, Thoreaus take is the opposite. He believes it impedes a mans freedom to live his own life, by inheriting a servility to, what he calls, necessity. In his piece On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, which he wrote in 1849, he communicates this concept to the reader in his text when he says, The rich man ... is always sold to the institution which makes him rich. Absolutely speaking, the more money, the less virtue. Here Thoreau contrasts the concept of wealth with that of virtue. He makes the direct statement that one innate(p) into wealth is not free but sold into never being able to be virtuous. Its very ironic that he is able to flip one of the most desired and admired origins in American Capitalist society on its head. The American Dream in essence is the pursuit of wealth/ gaiety by Thoreau denouncing the pursuit of money he is indirectly redefining, or disregarding, the American Dream. One might rent that this disdain for the American Dream and its detrimental affect on manhood was a reoccurring theme that actual over time in Thoreaus writing, because in his 1854 work