# I: Concord to Montreal explained — Essays

> Chapter companion for Essays by Henry David Thoreau.

## What happens

Thoreau recounts his journey from Concord, Massachusetts, to Montreal, Canada, in September 1850. He describes the landscape, towns, and people encountered along the way, including observations on nature, architecture, and the military presence in Canada. He reflects on the contrast between Yankee and Canadian cultures, particularly in religious and social customs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and Simplicity

Thoreau observes the natural landscape, including woodbine, sugar-maples, and the St. Lawrence River, contrasting it with the artificiality of military drills and urban life.

### Critique of Materialism and Business

Thoreau criticizes the military's mechanical harmony and the market's focus on demand and supply, contrasting with his preference for simplicity and honest walks.

### Civil Disobedience and Justice

Thoreau questions the purpose of military discipline and government, suggesting that true cooperation should be for worthy ends rather than tyrannical control.

## Character check-ins

### Henry David Thoreau

Narrator and traveler, reflecting on his journey to Canada.

## Key lines

> I fear that I have not got much to say about Canada, not having seen much; what I got by going to Canada was a cold.

Thoreau admits he has little to report about Canada because he saw very little; his main souvenir was a cold.

_Opening lines set a humorous, self-deprecating tone._

> The soldier here, as everywhere in Canada, appeared to be put forward, and by his best foot. They were in the proportion of the soldiers to the laborers in an African anthill.

Soldiers were prominently displayed in Canada, as numerous as workers in an anthill.

_Thoreau critiques the pervasive military presence._

> They made on me the impression, not of many individuals, but of one vast centipede of a man, good for all sorts of pulling down; and why not then for some kinds of building up?

The soldiers moved as a single, coordinated entity, capable of destruction but potentially also of construction.

_Reflection on the potential of collective action for good or ill._

> The Catholic are the only churches which I have seen worth remembering, which are not almost wholly profane.

Catholic churches are the only ones Thoreau finds memorable and not entirely worldly.

_Thoreau contrasts Catholic reverence with Yankee irreverence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/i-concord-to-montreal
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se/chapters