The Thematic Study Of Ecologicalism In Thoreau’s Walden

As an American transcendentalist in19thcentury, Henry David Thoreau createsmost of his works close to nature and rethinks the relationship between man andnature. Moreover, in order to be with nature, he comes to the Walden Pond alone. Ashis masterpiece, Walden records his daily life in the two years. This thesis attempts toexplore the ecological theme in Walden from the perspective of ecocriticism. And italso focuses on the man-nature relationship Thoreau advocates to arouse people’secological consciousness.The thesis consists of six chapters:Chapter one introduces the general information of Thoreau and his Walden.Besides, it makes a brief introduction to its research background, the purpose andsignificance. The framework of the thesis is clarified. Chapter two focuses on thereview of Thoreau and his Walden from the study both home and abroad. Anintroduction to ecocriticism theory is presented in chapter three. It mainly introducesthe origins, the development of ecocriticism, including the anthropocentrism, animalrights theory, biocentrism, ecocentrism. And the ecocentrism is a challenge toanthropocentrism which can be divided into two parts: one is the land ethic; the otheris the deep ecology. The core of ecocentrism holds that natural holistic, equality andharmonious with all the living beings. Chapter four expounds the ecological theme inthe context of Thoreau’s Walden. This chapter focuses on the application of theecocriticism theory to Walden. It starts with the sources of Thoreau’s ecologicalthoughts. As the hometown Thoreau lives, Concord plays a great role in his creation.And New England Transcendentalism gives him spiritual inspiration and the timebackground in which Thoreau was drives him. The main analysis of the context is therelationship between man and nature which can be divided into four parts. Thoreauopposes the dominance above nature, advocates the immanent value of nature, man asa part of nature, the harmony between man and nature. For Thoreau, life must bemeaningful in two ways: simplicity is one Thoreau looking forward and natural lifehelp to self-realization. Chapter five comes to the practice of Thoreau’s ecologicalthoughts. This chapter mainly focuses on the effect and inspiration of ecological ideasin Walden to China. The last is the legacy and significance of Thoreau and his Walden.In the concluding part, chapter six, a summary of the study is made, and thecontributions as well as the limitations of the study are pointed out.