Walden

Walden Pre-Reading

Grab a BLUE Textbook from the Cabinet

​Objectives:

​To be able to:

• ​analyze recognized ​works of American Literature

• trace the development of ​American Literature

• ​contrast major periods, themes, styles, and trends in American Literature.

• ​evaluate the philosophical, political, religious, ethical, and social influences on the literature of this period.

• ​interpret graphic information

​From yesterday’s discussion:

• ​Emerson believes that children always look at nature in a state of awe while adults might overlook nature in their lives. - Gibby

• The woods are used as a metaphor to show how they can represent a place where faith and imagination are more present. This shows Emersons beliefs in God, and the spiritual world around him. - Brook Cooke

• ​"The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child." I think this means that adults only see the sun, but children see the whole beauty of it. This doesn't only go for the sun too, it goes for everything. - Borner

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was not one of the “I”s of Romanticism?

• Imagination

• Intuition

• Indecision

• Individuality

• Inspiration

Before we start…

• ​Get out your phones!

• ​Look up how many hours/how much time you spend on various apps and post on the next slide

Open Ended

Post your screen time here!

​What is the purpose of looking at our screen time in relationship to themes/characteristics of Romanticism?

​In the textbook:

• ​Please turn to page 202-203 and read the biographical information/background about Henry David Thoreau

• ​Be prepared to share something about our author​

What did you find out about Henry David Thoreau?​

​Author’s Purpose

• ​When you begin to read, you will find that Thoreau wanted to discover "the essential facts of life". He wanted to ensure that, when it was time for him to die, that he had actually "lived". ​​

Open Ended

What things in your life could you live without?

Open Ended

Is is possible to live in Thoreau's simplistic lifestyle in 2021? Justify your response!

​As you read, be thinking of these concepts:

• ​ - Thoreau making claims that we are constantly on the go.

• - He makes a claim that we are constantly too connected to the news and messaging.

• - Thoreau seems to want to live a more simple society, free from commitments, greed, and waste. 

• - "Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life?" 

• - "We are determined to be starved before we are hungry."

​Turn to page 204 and read the excerpts from Walden.

• Be prepared to share tomorrow!​​