Materialism In Walden

“Few people are capable of expressing opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment.” (Albert Einstein) Many people choose not to speak up in public because they feel their own point of view might not be widely shared. Although this may be true, there a few individuals are willingly able to express their thoughts on social issues. Henry David Thoreau’s Walden demonstrates how an individual, like himself, has the ability to confront the problems that manifest itself within a flawed society. Thoreau’s novel Walden chronics the two years he spent living in a cabin near the woods, next to Walden Pond. Many readers may assume that Walden is based on naturalism due to his surroundings in the wilderness, while others might interpret it as a journey towards a simple
Since many readers did not have any prior understanding of Thoreau’s personal life, he was often seen as an anti-technology person. In reality, Thoreau was fascinated by technology despite his interests in nature. As noted in his novel Walden,Thoreau experienced many life changing inventions take place during his time such as power looms, railroads, and the telegraph were made during his generation. Though these inventions were products of a larger movement, he believed it was a destruction of nature. From Thoreau’s perspective, technological progression was counterproductive because it distracted people for more important matters. A clear example of Thoreau’s refusal for technological progress is shown when he expresses his concerns about trains. "To do things 'railroad fashion' is now the by-word; and it is worth the while to be warned so often and so sincerely by any power to get off its track. …Every path but your own is the path of fate. Keep on your own track then.” (Thoreau 111-12). Thoreau’s resentment towards trains is explained through this quote, as he feels it represents an allusion of control.