Interpretation of Thoreau
...ean by “deliberately as Nature”(Thoreau 705)? His intent was to form a mental word picture. In nature there is always purpose, and there is always a reason for everything that takes place. Nature has a cycle of life and closeness with our Creator, for the world around us is what He created. Thoreau means nature does not live outside itself and worry about every leaf that is falling or every creek that runs dry. In nature if something happens, there are reasons and abilities to adapt to particular circumstances. If we could make our lives more simplistic rather than fret over all the little immaterial details, our lives would have more fulfillment and meaning. We wouldn’t be weighed down by the woes of the world, and getting caught up in other people’s affairs. In addition, Thoreau claimed, “Children, who play life, discern its true law and relations more clearly than men” (704). Just as small children play without prejudice and judgment, so can men live and work side-by-side in harmony. It is the children who seem to have true intellect. Thoreau is stating that children are more intelligent than adults. Thoreau’s own personal struggle with this is when he states “I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born” (706). The simplest moment in our lives is the day we are born, and then from there it is ingrained in us to grow up with a right to judge and the right to know everyone’s business. The simplicity that was with us at birth is now but a memory. The complexity of the world makes it difficult to find the true simplicity of our lives. We are taught to be indulged by other’s affairs, the latest news bulletin and to fancy our every want with instant gratification. To retreat back to simplicity would be to give up these selfish wants and greed. Men don’t want to give up what’s important. But what is important? Thoreau writes, “Let us settle ourselves and work and wedge our feet downward through the mud and slush of opinion, and prejudice, and tradition, and delusion, and appearance, that alluvion whic...