Recluse Or Not—On Thoreau's Individualism

As a key figure of the American Transcendentalism in the early 19th century,Henry David Thoreau has strong personality and emphasizes self.However,he is not such a natural writer of recluse as the general comments suggest,he,on the contrary,is an active responder of American social reality in the 19th century.In his works,we can read far more than his fascination with nature and the yearning for freedom,and challenge to the conventions is also included.Endowed with extraordinary wisdom,he conveyed his liberal democracy and his active sentiment to the world.This paper points out that Thoreau's individualism is mainly influenced by American traditional Puritanism,Transcendentalism,Romanticism and Chinese Confucianism.His two representatives Walden and Civil Disobedience express his individualistic views in a concentrated way.By quoting and analyzing these two works,this paper examines that his individualism is both radical and ideal.For one thing,he pursues an individual position of equality and freedom,and even dares to resist the government at all costs.For another,he advocates the simple life,believing that the person be full of responsibility and must live a real life.This paper deeply studies the embodiment of Thoreau's individualism in his works,analyzes and elaborates both the active and passive part of it in his works.As an indispensable part of American thought,his individualism influenced the construction of American national culture and played a significant role in the construction of American individualism.