David Henry Thoreau
Facts//
David was a hard working man especially when it came to his passions. During his lifetime, Henry wrote over 20 volumes including articles, essays, journals, poetry, and books. He loved to explore the world and what it had to offer. He always loved to read and write throughout his whole life. His brother helped pay for his tuition into Harvard. One of David's biggest inspirations was Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Work//
This is a poem David wrote called "Inspiration".
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/inspiration/
Quotes//
#1- "Whate'er we leave to God, God does,
And blesses us;
The work we choose should be our own,
God leaves alone."
This first stanza of the poem, already demonstrates the idea of Transcendentalism and the spiritual aspect of it. He is saying that God is in control of him and what he does. Just like the idea of Transcendentalism, he is living in the moment, and it does not matter what people think of his. He believes God had blessed him to be himself and nothing more than himself. In this case he is a Transcendentalist, and is embraces what the world has given him.
#2-
"Such fragrance round my couch it makes,
More rich than are Arabian drugs,
That my soul scents its life and wakes
The body up beneath its perfumed rugs."
This stanza is a good example of how involved with nature Transcendentalists are. Previously, he talked about how nature gives of these perfumes in June. Here, he is embraces the scents of nature, in which they take him to another state. He refers to them as a drug. Transcendentalists were always trying to be in the state of being one with themselves, and here he is taking in the fumes of nature to become at peace. This quote really embodies the feelings of Transcendentalists, and their so called inner "hippie". Thoreau writes very calmly, but his words gives us a sense of what nature brings.
Theme//
"Inspiration" is the theme in itself. He uses example of how nature inspires him though out the poem.
#1- "Be but thy inspiration given,
No matter through what danger sought,
I'll fathom hell or climb to heaven,
And yet esteem that cheap which love has bought."
This is a good example of how David feels that the inspiration nature gives him will guide his future. His love and passion to embrace the world, no matter what circumstance makes him feel loved and fulfilled. Whether he go to heaven or hell, he does not care because his inspirations and surroundings in life are leading his future.
#2- "Always the general show of things
Floats in review before my mind,
And such true love and reverence brings,
That sometimes I forget that I am blind."
Thoreau is describing how he falls into another state of mind when he feels so inspired by things that surround him. When he begins to picture things that inspire him, his mind goes off into another world, and he becomes spiritually involved. Here again, is an example of how the theme of "inspiration" takes its place in this poem form Thoreau.
David was a hard working man especially when it came to his passions. During his lifetime, Henry wrote over 20 volumes including articles, essays, journals, poetry, and books. He loved to explore the world and what it had to offer. He always loved to read and write throughout his whole life. His brother helped pay for his tuition into Harvard. One of David's biggest inspirations was Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Work//
This is a poem David wrote called "Inspiration".
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/inspiration/
Quotes//
#1- "Whate'er we leave to God, God does,
And blesses us;
The work we choose should be our own,
God leaves alone."
This first stanza of the poem, already demonstrates the idea of Transcendentalism and the spiritual aspect of it. He is saying that God is in control of him and what he does. Just like the idea of Transcendentalism, he is living in the moment, and it does not matter what people think of his. He believes God had blessed him to be himself and nothing more than himself. In this case he is a Transcendentalist, and is embraces what the world has given him.
#2-
"Such fragrance round my couch it makes,
More rich than are Arabian drugs,
That my soul scents its life and wakes
The body up beneath its perfumed rugs."
This stanza is a good example of how involved with nature Transcendentalists are. Previously, he talked about how nature gives of these perfumes in June. Here, he is embraces the scents of nature, in which they take him to another state. He refers to them as a drug. Transcendentalists were always trying to be in the state of being one with themselves, and here he is taking in the fumes of nature to become at peace. This quote really embodies the feelings of Transcendentalists, and their so called inner "hippie". Thoreau writes very calmly, but his words gives us a sense of what nature brings.
Theme//
"Inspiration" is the theme in itself. He uses example of how nature inspires him though out the poem.
#1- "Be but thy inspiration given,
No matter through what danger sought,
I'll fathom hell or climb to heaven,
And yet esteem that cheap which love has bought."
This is a good example of how David feels that the inspiration nature gives him will guide his future. His love and passion to embrace the world, no matter what circumstance makes him feel loved and fulfilled. Whether he go to heaven or hell, he does not care because his inspirations and surroundings in life are leading his future.
#2- "Always the general show of things
Floats in review before my mind,
And such true love and reverence brings,
That sometimes I forget that I am blind."
Thoreau is describing how he falls into another state of mind when he feels so inspired by things that surround him. When he begins to picture things that inspire him, his mind goes off into another world, and he becomes spiritually involved. Here again, is an example of how the theme of "inspiration" takes its place in this poem form Thoreau.