This weekend, I decided to enrich my brain by
reading some neglected literary classics in my personal library. I chose to
re-read Henry David Thoreau’s Walden,
a story/journal that was published seven years after Henry ended his stay in a
small cabin near Walden Pond.
Critics have said Walden doesn’t even have a central theme, but the meaning is quite
clear: for us to follow his example of independent thinking and being. He hoped
his book would establish him as the foremost spokesman for the American
transcendentalist movement. Some would say Thoreau is “America’s bachelor
uncle” and has a writing style to pique a reader’s annoyance. However, I enjoy
all of his clever puns and allegories. Walden
is unique in the way that it can’t be classified into any one literary
category; it’s a memoir as much as a hand sounding the alarm.
Critics have said Walden doesn’t even have a central theme, but the meaning is quite
clear: for us to follow his example of independent thinking and being. He hoped
his book would establish him as the foremost spokesman for the American
transcendentalist movement. Some would say Thoreau is “America’s bachelor
uncle” and has a writing style to pique a reader’s annoyance. However, I enjoy
all of his clever puns and allegories. Walden
is unique in the way that it can’t be classified into any one literary
category; it’s a memoir as much as a hand sounding the alarm.
With all that, I’ll draw the attention back to his allusions.
In chapter 3, Thoreau alludes to none other than the Phoenicians from Homer’s The Odyssey. He also references The Odyssey itself, which amused me.
There is also another section where he comments about idly reading The Iliad. I read this when I was
younger and had no idea what half of this stuff meant. I find it easier and
more enjoyable to read when I understand certain allusions, and what are the
odds that Henry would make references to what I was reading in a mundane high
school class? Usually I find that most classics move me to yawns, but I like to
try new things every once in awhile. I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for more
tiny surprises in lit! Woo.
(THIS IS A REAL SIGN SITUATED IN THE WOODS NEAR WALDEN POND — LOCATED IN CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS)
What do you mean "mundane English class"?
ReplyDeleteThat aside, you touch on one of the great joys of the educated: making connections. As you learn, you will see that all things are connected in this way: Homer, Thoreau, you, and me. Life inspires art; art inspires life, and art inspires art.
I'm like you, in that classics usually bore me, and I've tried to read them. Your post kind of makes me want to maybe try some classics again, for a little surprise, like you said.
ReplyDeleteIf someone were to mention "classic", I would usually associate that category with older people. I think that it takes a more mature mind to be able to understand and appreciated "classics", whether it be classical music, a classic TV show, or a classic book. I for one don't fall into that "loving classic type of people" category. A short 5 minute classic poem makes me feel like I have been sitting there and reading it for 5 hours. And sometime that is true for me, because i have to re-re-re-read to finally understands it. You get the point!
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