Literary Focus

 

Writing Style:

Thoreau's writing style is reflective and based on sensory descriptions. He often describes his surroundings in both a literal and metaphorical sense.

 

Tone:

Pompous, lyricial, contemplative

 

Themes:

Man and the Natural World: Thoreau often personifies nature to show its relationship with man. He decribes nature as kind and sympathetic towards man.

 

Isolation: Thoreau makes the case that although he may be alone in the forest, he is far from lonely. He finds company in nature and himself. Ironically, we are most when in a group becuase we loose our uniqueness and sense of self.

Significance in an AP Language and Composition Course:

According to Victor Caroscio, a teacher at Northwest High School and author of "Teaching Nonfiction Books in AP English Language," Walden is "a good text to study" in the AP Language course. He notes that "students always benefit from exposure to earlier writers in AP courses" because "pre-twentieth-century prose" such as Walden, "challenges and stretches students' experiences as readers." Also, Thoreau's unique style and descriptions "affords teachers a good opportunity to teach students about this sophisticated rhetorical technique."