Essays · Chapter
Walking explained
Thoreau advocates for a return to nature, absolute freedom, and wildness over civilization.
What happens
Thoreau advocates for a return to nature, absolute freedom, and wildness over civilization. He explores the art of sauntering as a spiritual crusade, criticizes the constraints of society and politics, and celebrates the untamed landscape as a source of true life and liberty.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and Simplicity
Thoreau speaks a word for nature, absolute freedom, and wildness, contrasting it with civil society.
Freedom and Slavery
Thoreau emphasizes the liberty to live as superior to all laws, and critiques the constraints of civilization.
Critique of Materialism and Business
Thoreau criticizes politics, trade, and the village as trivial, and values the wild over commercial society.
Characters to notice
- Henry David Thoreau
The narrator and advocate for walking, nature, and wildness.
- Homer
Mentioned as one of the old prophets and poets who walked in nature.
- Chaucer
Mentioned as one of the old prophets and poets who walked in nature.
- Dante
Cited as an example of someone exercised in mind more than modern people.
- Muhammad
Cited as having more to live and die for than most.
Key passages
“I wish to speak a word for nature, for absolute freedom and wildness, as contrasted with a freedom and culture merely civil—to regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of nature, rather than a member of society.”
Thoreau declares his intention to advocate for nature and wild freedom over civilized culture, seeing humans as integral parts of nature.
Opening statement setting the essay's theme.
“If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother and sister, and wife and child and friends, and never see them again—if you have paid your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and are a free man, then you are ready for a walk.”
True walking requires total detachment from worldly ties and responsibilities, embodying absolute freedom.
Thoreau's radical definition of readiness for a walk.
“I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least—and it is commonly more than that—sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.”
Thoreau insists that daily long walks in nature are essential for his physical and mental well-being.
Personal practice of sauntering.