by George F Pecoraro

Created on: May 20, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2008

While out practicing one of my own,"Ideals," of individualism, that of turning one man's trash into my own personal treasure, I came across a copy of Mr.Thoreau's book "Walden." It was just lying there, patiently, a tender morsel for the town's big green mechanical monster to gobble up. I took pity on it, checked to see if it had all its limbs and no outlandish infections, and decided it was healthy enough to join the multitude of discarded literary waifs I have adopted. That was several years ago.

Now, as a staunch believer in the importance of maintaining ones own individuality, I found myself intrigued by the concept that Thoreau's "Walden" might contain some kind of manifesto on the, "Ideals of Individualism", so intrigued was I, that I am willing to take off my poet's hat, exchange it for that of literary analyst, and try to discover what I may have missed the first time I read that book. I must confess; I cannot remember Walden as a revealing source of so called "Ideals of Individualism".

Which leads me to ask you reader, "Why are you here?" I ask because the answer is important in understanding and giving credence to any analysis, on any subject. Be it for literary, scientific, historical, or philosophical research purposes. Also important to note here, at Helium, where your search has brought you, several approaches are to be found under the topics of "Literary Analysis", each approach, the subsequent importance, and usefulness to you, will be left up to you to decide. They all have their place.

Some serve the student on a quest for interpretations of a work, and a synoptically voiced theme. Some serve more classic literary analysis, often demanded by my old college literature professor. As he would say " I don't want a book report son, I've read the dang thing, I know what it is about." " I want you to tell me what the dominate literary techniques the author uses, such as; What is the point of view? First person? Third? Omniscient?; Does he use allegories, metaphors?; "Don't tell me when he was born either I don't care! If I want to read the authors biography then I'll read the biography".

I will attempt to do both. Placate my old literature profs lament, and secondly, address the more esoteric nature of " Walden" that has led to its association with the "Ideals of Individualism." I disagree with the presumption that Thoreau's "Walden" is enveloped in the philosophy known in academic and pseudo intellectual circles as "Ideals of Individualism." So

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next Page >>