Thoreau's Walden

Read the excerpt from Thoreau's Walden in The American Reader pages 134-140.

Choose a quote from  Thoreau's Walden to post in a comment to this post.  Type out the quote.  Explain why you chose this quote, what the quote says and does, how the quote is relevant to your life experience, and how the quote reflects the principles of transcendentalism.

If Thoreau were here to observe how you live your life, what changes would he suggest?  How would he want you to improve your life?  Explain your reasoning by referring to the words from Walden.

Consider your classmates' blog posts.  Build on their observations and thoughts.

Henry David Thoreau "Civil Disobedience"

Read Henry David Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" on pages 125-134 in The American Reader.

Post one remarkable quote from "Civil Disobedience".  Respond to the quote.

Since Thoreau lived, have the principles he supports in "Civil Disobedience" played an important role in our country's history? Explain your answer with specifics from our history.

Are his thoughts applicable to your life today?  How?

Please consider your classmates' posts before responding.  Build on the posts  of your classmates.

Self Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Read Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Self Reliance" in The American Reader. 

Post one of the two remarkable quotes you chose from “Self Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson . 

Explain why you chose the quote, what the text says and does, how the quote is relevant to your life or why it is not relevant or true. 

Include your response to the quote.  Make certain to explain how Emerson reflects the ideals of the transcendentalists with the quotes you choose to unpack.

Consider your classmates’ posts.  Build on the posts.