Analysis Of The Essay 'Walking' By Henry David Thoreau

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In 1862 Henry David Thoreau wrote the powerful essay “Walking.” This essay discussed the importance of immersing oneself in nature. Appreciating what beauty and power that simply walking in nature can provide for a person. Even in the 1800’s Thoreau discusses the lack of appreciation the population had for nature. One can only imagine what Henry David Thoreau would have written in his essay had he written it today. Rarely is there a want to go outside today with all of the comforts of the indoors. If one does go outside it typically isn’t just to appreciate the beauty of nature. If Thoreau were alive today he would see a lack of people leaving the comfort of the indoors, lack of true nature to enjoy, and a lack of completely escaping from technology. First of all, in today’s society there is almost no need or want to go outside. Just about anything that someone would want to do outside can now be done inside more comfortably and conveniently. One can now swim inside, run on …show more content…
For example, one goes to experience the beauty of the Grand Canyon but cannot fully immerse themselves in the experience due to the distraction of needing to take pictures with their cell phone or camera. When someone goes for a run (outside, not at the indoor track) they often are not appreciating nature. They are listening to music, completely shout out from the sounds that nature makes. Thoreau would not comprehend the need for such technology. If Henry David Thoreau were somehow able to wake up in today’s society his “Walking” essay would be twice as long as he would have a lot to say. He would invite people to read his essay and then maybe go on a walk with him. However, he would only be turned down and offered to come into the house where the air conditioner is running, the highway traffic is visible from the window, and national geographic is on the 60-inch