姚泽林 书评
Wake Up from Modern Lives
A book review on Walden.
Written by Henry David Thoreau, published in 1854.
Rambling about the fields and overlooking Thoreau's cabin along with the setting sun, Walden exposed me to another spiritual life, which differs from our modern ones and attaches graceful poetry along with profound philosophy to trivial details in lives.
Walden is a difficult prose to read, quoting literary masterpieces from various countries and opinions of numerous celebrities, with a complex structure of writing. However, the theme of the book is clear enough. Thoreau advocated a simple way of life and reminded people to regain their initial innocence and nature. Even though he was in the midst of a transition from agriculture to industry in the United States, Thoreau still proved that the peace of mind and a fulfilling life do not have to be based on wealth or destroying nature.
To get rid of the hustle and bustle of the urban area, Thoreau went to Walden alone, where he built his own log cabin as well as grew crops by himself. Thoreau made pencils, not for profit, but for the pleasure of the process and the labor. On the shores of Walden, the delight of life is simply the sunshine before spring, the ripples on the lake, or the feeling brought by the swaying pines and cypresses.
Thoreau was talking about the life of a farmer literally, but he indeed reflected on modern society, which has misled people and obliterated our innocence. He painted a picture of the splendid lakes and mountains in nature, but in fact he conveyed the beauty and truth brought by the real and eternal world. Through this book, Thoreau somehow criticized the anxiety of real life, and showed us satisfaction from spiritual pursuit and simple innocence in natural mind. In addition, Thoreau also conveyed his deep reverence for nature. In spite of all kinds of benefits that industrialization and the development of technology have brought to us, the consumption of resources and the destruction of nature have led to pressing environmental problems, which prove Thoreau’s foresight.
Although we are unlikely to return directly to primary country life like Thoreau, his way of life is of great value to us. Nowadays, being confined in fierce competition, most of us are compelled to strain every nerve and avoid elimination. We are devoted our energies to a host of tasks and trying hard for a better life, losing ourselves in the pursuit of material life. We dare not rest or feel ashamed to relax when we are exhausted, turning ourselves into machines, and therefore forget the innocence and nature of our initial mind.
Walden is not only the author's voice for nature, but also for the times as it wakes people up from modern lives. For instance, in the current existence of consumerism, which stimulates human desire, Thoreau said, "What you want is not what you really need." How much of our needs are real? Thoreau experimented to minimize material needs, discarding distractions and returning to the true state of life. Moreover, Walden can make us rethink the purpose of life. The popular slogans now are "Time is money" and "financial freedom". In contrast, Thoreau took the opposite approach, thinking that to pursue money was to lose a certain freedom, and not to waste one's life for unnecessary material things. He often said that everyone should think for himself or herself and listen to their heart rather than the wishes of their parents, neighbors or friends. Through the words, Thoreau exemplifies the pursuit of individual independence and spiritual freedom.
The book distinguishes itself by its profound thoughts that inspire us to wake up from consumerism and various desires. The anxiety of the real world gradually wears off when we comprehend the book. Walden is absolutely an extraordinary work, as well as a brilliant present to our fast-paced society and modern lives.
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