HandoutThoreauAnswerKey-1(2)
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Arts Humanities
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Jan 9, 2024
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Uploaded by JudgeRoseSparrow40
© Teach with Mark and Elyse at TPT Directions: Research the life of Henry David Thoreau and answer the prompts in each of the spaces. EARLY YEARS: What was his birth and upbringing like? Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts. His home growing up has been described as humble and modest. His father worked as a pencil maker, creating a company that became a leading pencil producer for the nation. He had three other siblings who grew up with him, two being older. His grandfather, on his mother’s side, was involved in the nation’s first student protest. It is possible this legacy inspired him in his later actions to protest the government. EDUCATION: Describe his academic life. He is recorded as being very astute in his studies while growing up. He attended Harvard College and studied the classics, philosophy, rhetoric, science, and mathematics. There was also an emphasis in the languages Greek and Latin. Thoreau continued to be educated informally under the influence of other Transcendentalists, especially Ralph Waldo Emerson. WALDEN YEARS: What did he do in solitude? He stayed in a cabin at Walden Pond for a period of two years (1845-1847). The property was offered to him by his friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson. He spent his time building the cabin, farming, exploring the woods, and recording his scientific observations in his journal. This was a social experiment to break away from busy life in the modern city. Even so, he still had interactions with visitors from society. LITERARY THEMES: What were some common topics and themes that he wrote about? Student answers may vary. As a major proponent of the Transcendentalist Movement, he believed strongly in emphasizing nature and individualism in his writings. Two central themes dominate much of his contributions to the movement: The importance of humans experiencing the natural world outside the industrial city and the importance of one’s conduct reflecting their own personal conscience. His experience at Walden Pond gave him the opportunity to compile his experience and insights into the book, Walden, which takes the form of narrative with insights about the benefits of his social experiment in solitude. Other works, such as Civil Disobedience, contain themes having to do with his own moral stances against aggression by government, corrupt institutions such as slavery, and the ethical responsibility of individuals in a nation. ANSWER KEY
© Teach with Mark and Elyse at TPT BELIEFS: What were his views? He believed the commonly held views of the Transcendentalists about the goodness of humans and the spiritual connection nature provides to those who seek truth. He was stood strongly against institutions that violated human rights, whether it be slavery or the abuses of the U.S. government. FAMOUS WORKS:
What have been some of his most famous written works over the course of time? Student answers will vary based on what they choose. Several of his works are famous. Examples include: “Walden” (book) “Civil Disobedience” (essay) “Walking” (essay) “The Maine Woods” (articles based on his trips) There are many more in his collections. TIMELINE: Select three significant events of your choice from his lifetime. Write the year and the event with a line drawn to a point on the timeline. Make sure they are in order. LEGACY: How has he been remembered since the time of his death? Thoreau’s book Walden became his masterwork that continued to influence others in Transcendentalism, hard work, appreciating and conserving nature, and keeping individualism alive in America. His essays, such as Civil Disobedience
, influenced activists after his death such as Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. WHAT I LEARNED: Having researched the life of Henry David Thoreau, sum up your takeaway. Student answers will vary. 1817 1862 Student answers will vary depending on the events they select.
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