essay on Thoreau

Thoreau believes that in order to rid the world of its social problems and to be truly happy, one should rid themselves of all materialistic things and should only have with them their bare necessities. He believes that all you need is "Fuel, shelter, clothing,and fuel" (11) to live a simple and therefore a happy life. As he states in his second chapter, “Where I Lived”, Thoreau preaches simplicity and to live a spartan like life. To him living a secluded, simple life is the best possible life.

While what Thoreau is preaching could have possibly been possible in the 19th century, his ideal life is all but a pipe dream in the 21st century. In today's world it’s virtually impossible to live a simple life due to all the products a person has at their disposal. To live a life exactly how he did is impossible because consumerism has been embedded in people's brains for generations and to reverse that trend is something that can’t be done.

Others might argue that living a Thoreau style life is the best way to live but it’s very naive to think that a person could live like that in today’s time. Society has made people want the next best thing and it is as if people have become brainwashed to always pursue the newest products. As much as people would love to live a life like Thoreau, it’s something that can’t be done anymore.