Part III: Thoreau

     Many people say that Thoreau was a student of Emerson's philosophy and that Thoreau practiced what Emerson preached. Learning from Emerson's teachings, Thoreau left society to live in nature amongst Walden Pond. He built a cabin and lived apart from society for many years. Soon, Thoreau began to think and draw the same conclusions that Emerson did about nature, society, and more.
     In Walden, Thoreau says, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." (Thoreau 204). This explains why he went into the woods. After listening to Emerson's philosophy about society and nature, he became curious and wanted to learn what nature could teach him. Thoreau also believed that society caused people to wander through life aimlessly. By putting himself in nature, he was able to live with a purpose.

     An example of similar conclusions drawn by them are, "The horizon is a mans own view, how far he sees is his own choice." (Emerson) and "It is remarkable how many creatures live wild and free though secret in the woods, and still sustain themselves in the neighborhoods of towns, suspected by hunters only." (Thoreau) These quotes are similar because they both deal with perspective. Emerson is preaching about looking at life. Everything needed for you is there, you just have to realize and take advantage of it. Thoreau is preaching about looking at nature. There is so much there that you don't know about. If you just sit, watch, and learn about nature, it will begin to expose itself to you. Both quotes deal with perspective and looking into things deeper. Expand your view and accept more.