This Day Thoreau Spends One Night In Jail (1846)
Aug 13, 2024
Henry David Thoreau, an influential transcendentalist author, is celebrated for his literary works like 'Walden' and his essay on civil disobedience. In this discussion, he recounts his brief incarceration for refusing to pay a poll tax, highlighting his commitment to anti-slavery activism. The conversation dives into the complexity of individual moral agency versus societal norms, the profound impact of his philosophy on future leaders like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., and his personal reflections on life while contemplating nature at Walden Pond.
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Kelly's Walden Pond Visit
- Kelly Carter Jackson recently visited Walden Pond for her anniversary.
- She describes Thoreau's cabin as small and simple, like a potential "she shed."
Thoreau's Legacy
- Thoreau is considered the father of the environmental movement due to his writings about nature and isolation.
- He was also an abolitionist, and his family actively supported the anti-slavery movement.
Cynical View of Thoreau
- Thoreau's story can be viewed cynically as a privileged rich kid escaping to a cabin.
- However, his anti-slavery stance and love for nature are appreciated.