Introduction
The essay’s focus will be David Thoreau, American author and philosopher of the early 1800s, his works, and the influence of the period he lived in. The 1800s are usually described from the perspective of years before and during the Civil War; thus, most writers were highly influenced by it. Henry David Thoreau was described as a stoic and transcendentalist author with an impassionate attitude toward life events (Risinger, 2019). Nevertheless, his life and work were profoundly formed by his social context. Overall, it can be said that Thoreau would have been writing similar works but with deeper topics that correlate with modern trends.
Influence of Historical Context on the Author’s Work
The environmental and social circumstances of his period can be described as the rapid urbanization and industrialization period in the US. Thoreau was critical of significant political and social changes. In his most notable work, “Walden,” he describes a simple life based on harmony with nature that rejects materialism and consumerism. It is deeply rooted in transcendentalism, which is also described within principles of individualism, self-reliance, and a connection with nature. In Walden, Thoreau reflects: “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.” (1854). It emphasizes the call for resisting progress and modern consumerism.
Impact of a Different Time Period on Thoreau’s Writing
If Thoreau lived in a different, this message of resistance could still be his central ideology as it fits modern trends as well. In the modern age of the US, consumerism and materialism peaked – the phenomenon that the author was scared of. However, in the modern age, Thoreau could have explored the topics of resistance more deeply rather than simply living in nature. He might have been a strong eco-activist and would have raised topics such as environmental degradation caused by rapid industrialization and overall pollution. He might have discussed ethical consumption rather than complete resistance to modernization. The impact of communication technologies on our lives could have also been of concern for Thoreau.
Another notable example of change would have been Thoreau’s strong political views in the context of the Civil War. In Thoreau’s work “Civil Disobedience,” he notes that “under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison” (1849). It exemplifies his belief in the moral obligation of any individual to resist the regime if they believe in it. Civil disobedience itself is inherently based on American individualism and the idea of self-reliance. Due to the political chaotic nature of that period, his idea of self-reliance is also vivid.
At the same time, the modern political context can be different from the period of the Civil War. With a rise of nationalism and strong conservative leadership, modern political and civil disobedience will not be possible. At the same time, considering the stoic nature of Thoreau, it is possible that he could have chosen a more radical and extreme political ideology to support. Nevertheless, it is more likely that his nature of writing as being in constant opposition to the regime, social structure, and system could have also been relevant in modern days. He would have been still popular with more provocative writings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the social and environmental shifts of Henry David Thoreau’s day significantly impacted his life and his writings. If he were still living today, his dedication to nature and independence would have translated into tackling modern environmental concerns, even though the specifics of his work could have been different in a different age. Given the current environmental catastrophe, his works would probably support sustainable living practices and preserve the natural world.
References
Risinger, Jacob. “Reframing Thoreau’s Stoic Biography.” The Concord Saunterer 27: 119–126. Web.
Thoreau, Henry D. (1854) 2018. Walden (American Classics Series): Life in the Woods – Reflections of the Simple Living in Natural Surroundings. Reprint, Prague: E-artnow. Ebook.
Thoreau, Henry D. (1849) 2023. Civil Disobedience. Reprint, Delhi: Revelation Press. Ebook.