Solitude

The collection of essays, Walden, gives the reader a detailed description of life in the wooded area off Walden Pond where Henry David Thoreau was said to have studied nature. The fifth chapter, Solitude, is a direct response to comments said to the author such as, “I should think you would feel lonesome down there, and want to be nearer folks, rainy and snowy days and nights especially.” For this chapter, the author explains to those who say this to him why he finds the solitude of Walden so appealing.

The reader interprets the title, Solitude, in the negative context from the word loneliness. What the reader discovers, however, is that this solitude has positive connotations as words like serenity and peaceful. The author compares here what a life in Walden can be compared to. “But for the most part, it is as solitary where I live as on the prairies.” The reader knows automatically the epic tales from living in the prairie told through the ages. This piece is directed toward the common person who spends most of his/her time living a life in controlled civilization where the laws of society such as, “etiquette and politeness” apply. These people have little or no experience in going out and having a strong appreciation of nature and the solitude the author describes. The author uses the prairie metaphor to appeal to something the civilized society would know, so they would understand his position.

The tone of this chapter is directly reflected from the author’s attitude toward solitude. He gives his opinion here on his own solitude. “I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” Instead of saying “friendly” or “aquatint with,” the author uses a word like “companion,” that emphasizes the undying connection between the author and solitude, and how he finds solitude so appealing.

By experiencing nature hands on, the author grows an appreciation for being solitary and tries to show others his revelation. He shows that solitude can be interpreted in a number of ways, not only the loneliness society perceives the real situation is. Through transcendental ideas of nature the author discusses, the reader understands none of us is ever really alone.
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