A Study Of Henry David Thoreau's View Of Nature In Walden

Henry David Thoreau is the 19^th century American writer of transcendentalism and the pioneer of modern environmentalism. In his representative work Walden, Thoreau records his profound reflections on nature during his two-year communion with nature at Walden. The thesis focuses on the analysis of Thoreau's complicated view of nature, trying to find out its implications for modern people who are suffering from environmental and spiritual crises. Thoreau forms his complicated view of nature with the influences of romanticism, transcendentalism and Chinese natural philosophy. The thesis attempts to illuminate Thoreau's view of nature from three perspectives: nature is a living organism; man is a part and parcel of nature; nature is a means of fulfilling self-realization. In the end, a conclusion can be drawn that the relationship between nature and man is harmonious; nature is both our living home and spiritual home. Thoreau has set a good example for modern people to live an outwardly simple and inwardly rich life.