Henry David Thoreau, in his essay "Walking," posits that walking, especially in nature, is a necessary act for both physical and spiritual well-being. He sees it as a means to connect with a raw, untamed energy that he believes is essential for human life, and argues that modern society has moved too far away from this primal connection. Here are some of the key ideas from his writing:
- Sauntering as a Pilgrimage: Thoreau doesn't see walking merely as exercise, but rather as a sort of spiritual quest. He refers to those who truly understand walking as "saunterers," invoking the term's connection to medieval pilgrims journeying to the Holy Land. For Thoreau, every walk is a chance to reconnect with the wild, untamed aspects of ourselves and the natural world, a journey to a metaphorical "Holy Land" of the soul.
- The True Walker's Spirit: He outlines a distinct mentality for "sauntering." He states that to truly saunter, one must walk with a sense of "undying adventure," almost a willingness to lose oneself in the experience. He suggests that a true walker should be ready to leave behind the comforts and constraints of society and embrace the unknown. Thoreau views the act of walking as a form of liberation from societal norms and expectations.
- The Importance of Wildness: Thoreau stresses the vital importance of wildness, both in the natural world and within ourselves. He argues that true freedom and vitality come from our connection to the untamed, uncultivated aspects of life. He sees the preservation of wildness as essential for the well-being of humanity. He suggests that the strength and vitality of a civilization are directly tied to the wildness from which it emerged, and that as societies become increasingly "tame," they risk losing this vital energy.
- Critique of Modern Society: He criticizes modern society's focus on material wealth and productivity, arguing that these pursuits often lead to spiritual and physical stagnation. He laments the fact that many people are so caught up in their work and routines that they have lost touch with the natural world and the invigorating power of wildness.
- The West as a Symbol of Wildness: For Thoreau, the American West represents a realm of vast and untamed wilderness, a stark contrast to the more developed and populated East. He views the westward expansion of the United States not just as a geographical movement, but also as a symbolic one, representing a quest for freedom, adventure, and a deeper connection with nature.
Thoreau's "Walking" is not simply a treatise on the joys of walking, but a complex exploration of the human relationship with nature and civilization. He challenges us to reconsider our values and reconnect with the wild, untamed aspects of life that he believes are essential for our well-being.
A Saunter through Thoreau's "Walking"
I. A Call to the Wild
- Thoreau advocates for a deep connection with nature, contrasting "absolute freedom and wildness" with the confines of civilization. He introduces the concept of "sauntering," a deliberate and spiritual wandering that connects us to the very essence of the earth.
- True walking, for Thoreau, requires a detachment from societal obligations and a willingness to embrace the unknown, leaving behind the comforts of home and the expectations of others.
- He positions himself and his walking companion as modern-day "Walkers Errant," a class unto themselves, existing outside the bounds of societal structures and enriched by the freedom only found in nature.
II. The Price and Privilege of Walking
- Thoreau emphasizes that the ability to truly saunter is a gift, unattainable by wealth and requiring a dedication of time and spirit that eludes most individuals.
- He criticizes the sedentary lives of his townspeople, highlighting their detachment from the natural world and questioning their ability to truly live without experiencing the freedom of a walk in nature.
- He observes the differences between men and women in their relationship to indoor and outdoor spaces, subtly suggesting that women, even more confined by societal expectations, may suffer from this lack of connection with nature.
III. The Essence of a Walk
- Thoreau differentiates between walking for mere exercise and walking as a spiritual practice, urging his readers to seek out the "springs of life" found only in the wild.
- He emphasizes the importance of mindful walking, drawing a parallel with a camel ruminating as it travels, urging a simultaneous engagement with the physical and mental landscape.
- Thoreau acknowledges the potential for coarseness in a life lived primarily outdoors, but argues that this is a superficial consequence outweighed by the depth of character and self-reliance fostered by a connection with nature.
IV. Finding the Wild Within and Without
- Thoreau reflects on the pull of the West, both as a personal inclination and a metaphor for the pursuit of a wilder, less cultivated existence.
- He critiques the encroachment of human "improvements" on the natural landscape, lamenting the destruction of forests and the imposition of human boundaries on the wild.
- He praises the freedom found in the unowned landscapes of his time, expressing concern for a future where access to nature is restricted and controlled by private ownership.
V. The Magnetic Pull of the West
- Thoreau describes his intuitive tendency to walk westward, linking this personal inclination to a broader human impulse for exploration and expansion.
- He contrasts the westward movement with the pull of the East, suggesting that while the East holds history and culture, the West represents the untamed potential of the future.
- He draws parallels between his own westward leanings and the historical migration patterns of humanity, positioning America as a new frontier brimming with possibilities.
VI. America: A New Eden?
- Thoreau celebrates the natural bounty and vastness of the American landscape, drawing on accounts from explorers and naturalists to emphasize its unique beauty and potential.
- He suggests that America's wilder nature offers a chance for human beings to reach new heights of physical, intellectual, and spiritual development.
- He argues against the Eurocentric view of the natural world, praising the unique qualities of American flora and fauna and suggesting they are particularly conducive to human flourishing.
VII. The Wildness Within
- Thoreau argues that true vitality and progress stem from a connection with the untamed aspects of ourselves and our environment, drawing a parallel between the wildness of nature and the spark of creativity and independent thought.
- He criticizes the tendency to over-cultivate and over-civilize, suggesting that true strength and resilience arise from embracing the "wild" aspects of ourselves and our surroundings.
- He uses the metaphor of the swamp to illustrate his point, arguing that these seemingly desolate places are in fact teeming with life and hold the potential for regeneration and growth.
VIII. The Language of the Wild
- Thoreau laments the loss of a wilder, more primal form of knowledge and expression, suggesting that modern society has become too focused on "useful" knowledge at the expense of intuition and primal understanding.
- He criticizes the overreliance on book learning and the accumulation of facts, advocating for a return to a more intuitive and experiential understanding of the world.
- He calls for a new kind of language, one that captures the essence of the wild and gives voice to the untamed aspects of human experience.
IX. A Return to the Present
- Thoreau encourages his readers to live fully in the present moment, criticizing the tendency to dwell on the past or obsess over the future.
- He uses the image of the cockerel’s crow to symbolize the dawn of a new day, urging his readers to approach each moment with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of purpose.
- He describes a transformative sunset experienced on a walk, using it as a metaphor for the potential for spiritual awakening and a life lived in greater harmony with the natural world.
X. The Fading Light of Wildness
- Thoreau observes the decline of wildness in both the natural world and in human thought, lamenting the disappearance of pigeons and the loss of original, unfettered thinking.
- He critiques the human tendency to tame and domesticate, both in the physical world and in the realm of ideas, suggesting that this leads to a loss of vitality and creativity.
- He concludes with a call to action, urging his readers to reconnect with the wild within and without, and to resist the forces that seek to diminish the untamed spirit of humanity.